Air and water barrier article with porous layer and liner

ABSTRACT

There is provided an article that includes a polymeric layer disposed on and covering a first major surface of an porous layer, an adhesive layer disposed on a second major surface of the elastic layer opposite the polymeric layer; and a liner disposed on a major surface of the polymeric layer opposite the first major surface of the elastic layer. The polymeric layer and the porous layer together form an air and water barrier that is water vapor permeable. The liner is water vapor impermeable. In a preferred embodiment the polymeric layer comprises a polyoxyalkylene polymer having at least one end group derived from an alkoxy silane. A method of applying the article to a surface of a building component is also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 ofPCT/US2016/047630, filed Aug. 18, 2016, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application Nos. 62/206,348, filed Aug. 18, 2015;62/268,563, filed Dec. 17, 2015; and 62/376,202, filed Aug. 17, 2016,the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entiretyherein.

FIELD

The present disclosure also relates to articles that are water vaporpermeable and air and water barriers.

BACKGROUND

Air barrier systems control movement of air, and specifically watervapor, across a surface of a structure, such as a building enclosure. Inexterior walls, uncontrolled air flow is the greatest source of moistureand condensation damage. Indoor comfort is affected by air temperature,relative humidity, direction of airflow and surrounding surfacetemperatures. Indoor air quality is enhanced by air barrier systems byefficiently keeping pollutants out of building interiors. Pollutantsinclude water vapor, suspended particulates, dust, insects, and smells,for example. Air barrier systems have significant impact on electricityconsumption and gas bills. Air barrier systems in nonresidentialbuildings are estimated to reduce air leakage by up to 83 percent,reduce heating bills more than 40% and reduce electricity consumptionmore than 25% according to simulations by the National Institute ofStandards and Technology (NIST) compared to typical buildings withoutair barriers. Water vapor is a key ingredient in corrosion and moldgrowth. Air barrier systems help prevent water vapor from beingtransported by air movement between exteriors and interiors ofstructures, such as buildings.

The use of air barrier systems has been a requirement in Canada foralmost 25 years and is becoming important in North America due to netzero energy requirements by 2030, required by the US Army Corp ofEngineering, ASHRAE 90.1, and International Energy ConservationCode—2009. On Dec. 16, 2011, the DC Construction Codes CoordinatingBoard (CCCB) adopted the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code(IECC).

Some membrane sheets having both waterproofing properties and moisturepermeability are known. One typical example of such moisture-permeablewaterproofing sheets is flash-spun nonwoven fabrics. U.S. Pat. No.3,169,899 (Steuber), for example, discloses a flash-spun nonwovenfabric. U.S. Pat. No. 3,532,589 (David) discloses a method for producinga flash-spun nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric thus obtained has anappropriate pore size to block liquid water but allow water vapor topass through. A known example of the nonwoven fabric is commerciallyavailable under the trade designation “Tyvek” from E. I. Du Pont deNemours and Company, Wilmington, Del. USA, which is obtained bythermo-compressing a three-dimensionally-meshed fiber of high-densitypolyethylene. Such a moisture-permeable waterproofing sheet can preventexternal liquid water from infiltrating through the sheet, but can ventwater in vapor form.

SUMMARY

However, openings such as windows or doors are not flat. It is difficultto form a waterproofing layer only with a waterproofing sheet, andtherefore the opening is often finished with a waterproofing tape with apressure sensitive adhesive layer provided thereon. In this case, sincethe most commonly used pressure sensitive adhesives often are made ofrubber or asphalt materials, the moisture permeability of the entiretape decreases, and the same moisture retention problem as that of acommon waterproofing sheet can occur.

Mechanical fasteners, can be used to affix the moisture-vapor permeablewaterproofing sheet on substrates of exterior walls. As a result,moisture may permeate from gaps of such fasteners, such as nail holes,over a long period of time. It is beneficial for such moisture-vaporpermeable waterproofing sheets to pass ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13 or similarmodified tests such as Modified Test 1 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13,Modified Test 2 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13, Modified Test 3 of ASTMD-1970/D-1970M-13, or combinations thereof for nail sealability.

It is also beneficial for adhesives provided on these air and waterbarrier articles to provide robust adhesion in a variety of conditions.For example, it is beneficial for such an adhesive to adhere to wetsubstrates, which are common conditions on surfaces of buildingcomponents at a construction site. There exists a need for an air andwater barrier article that, when wound in a roll with a release liner,provides appropriate release from the article and an adhesive used tocoat at least a portion of the article to provide easy application ofthe air and water barrier article to substrates, such as buildingcomponents. There is also a need for these air and water barrierarticles to provide acceptable permeability performance with respect towater vapor according to ASTM E96/E96M-13.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an article that includesa polymeric layer disposed on and covering a first major surface of anelastic porous layer, an adhesive layer disposed on a second majorsurface of the elastic porous layer opposite the polymeric layer, and aliner disposed on a major surface of the polymeric layer opposite thefirst major surface of the elastic porous layer. The polymeric layer andthe elastic porous layer together form an air and water barrier that iswater vapor permeable. The liner is water vapor impermeable. At least aportion of the article covered with the liner is vapor impermeable andan air and water barrier.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provide an article thatincludes a polymeric layer disposed on and covering a first majorsurface of an elastic porous layer, an adhesive layer disposed on asecond major surface of the elastic porous layer opposite the polymericlayer, and a liner disposed on a major surface of the polymeric layeropposite the first major surface of the elastic porous layer. Thepolymeric layer and the elastic porous layer together form an air andwater barrier that is water vapor permeable. The liner is water vaporimpermeable covers only a portion of the major surface of the polymericlayer. At least a portion of the article covered with the liner is vaporimpermeable and an air and water barrier.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of applyingan air and water barrier article. The method includes adhering at leasta portion of the adhesive layer on a roll of the article described aboveto a surface of a building component, so that the air and water barrierarticle is affixed to the surface of the building component. The methodincludes unwinding at least a portion of the roll. During the unwinding,the liner remains disposed on the major surface of the polymeric layeropposite the first major surface of the elastic porous layer. The methodalso includes peeling at least a portion of the liner away from aportion of the self-sealing article. In some embodiments, the methodincludes leaving a portion of the liner disposed on the major surface ofthe polymer layer.

Various aspects and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure have been summarized. The above Summary is not intended todescribe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of thepresent disclosure. Further features and advantages are disclosed in theembodiments that follow. The Drawings and the Detailed Description thatfollow more particularly exemplify certain preferred embodiments usingthe principles disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing detailed description of various embodiments of the disclosurein connection with the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of an air and waterbarrier article according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side cross section view of another embodiment of an air andwater barrier article according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side cross section view of still another embodiment of anair and water barrier article according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a side cross section view of an embodiment of an air andwater barrier article having a microporous membrane according to thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a side cross section view of another embodiment of an air andwater barrier article having a microporous membrane according to thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation showing the manufacture of anelastic air and water barrier article according to some embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a representation in plan view of a portion of an air and waterbarrier article according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a side cross section view of an embodiment of a roll of alinered air and water barrier article according to the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 is a side cross section view of another embodiment of a roll of alinered air and water barrier article according to the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 is an end cross section view of an embodiment of a roll of alinered air and water barrier article according to the presentdisclosure having a coating composition; and

FIG. 10 is a top view of a portion of a linered air and water barrierarticle according to the present disclosure.

While the above-identified drawing, which may not be drawn to scale,sets forth various embodiments of the present disclosure, otherembodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the Detailed Description.In all cases, this disclosure describes the presently disclosure by wayof representation of exemplary embodiments and not by expresslimitations. It should be understood that numerous other modificationsand embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art, which fallwithin the scope and spirit of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used in this specification, the recitation of numerical ranges byendpoints includes all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g. 1 to 5includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.8, 4, and 5, and the like).

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities oringredients, measurement of properties and so forth used in theSpecification and embodiments are to be understood as being modified inall instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to thecontrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the foregoingspecification and attached listing of embodiments can vary dependingupon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled inthe art utilizing the teachings of the present disclosure. At the veryleast, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine ofequivalents to the scope of the claimed embodiments, each numericalparameter should at least be construed in light of the number ofreported significant digits and by applying ordinary roundingtechniques.

For the following defined terms, these definitions shall be applied forthe entire Specification, including the claims, unless a differentdefinition is provided in the claims or elsewhere in the Specificationbased upon a specific reference to a modification of a term used in thefollowing Glossary:

Glossary

The words “a”, “an”, and “the” are used interchangeably with “at leastone” to mean one or more of the elements being described.

The term “layer” refers to any material or combination of materials onor overlaying a substrate.

Words of orientation such as “atop, “on,” “covering,” “uppermost,”“overlaying,” “underlying” and the like for describing the location ofvarious layers, refer to the relative position of a layer with respectto a horizontally-disposed, upwardly-facing substrate. It is notintended that the substrate, layers or articles encompassing thesubstrate and layers, should have any particular orientation in spaceduring or after manufacture.

The terms “about” or “approximately” with reference to a numerical valueor a shape means+/−five percent of the numerical value or property orcharacteristic, but expressly includes the exact numerical value. Forexample, a viscosity of “about” 1 Pa-sec refers to a viscosity from 0.95to 1.05 Pa-sec, but also expressly includes a viscosity of exactly 1Pa-sec. Similarly, a perimeter that is “substantially square” isintended to describe a geometric shape having four lateral edges inwhich each lateral edge has a length which is from 95% to 105% of thelength of any other lateral edge, but which also includes a geometricshape in which each lateral edge has exactly the same length.

The term “elastic” as used herein mean materials having an elongation ofgreater than or equal to 90% in either the cross direction or themachine direction. The elastic porous layer disclosed herein need notdemonstrate recovery properties. Accordingly, the term elastic as usedherein is interchangeable with the word extensible.

The term “substantially” with reference to a property or characteristicmeans that the property or characteristic is exhibited to a greaterextent than the opposite of that property or characteristic isexhibited. For example, a substrate that is “substantially” transparentrefers to a substrate that transmits more radiation (e.g. visible light)than it fails to transmit (e.g. absorbs and reflects). Thus, a substratethat transmits more than 50% of the visible light incident upon itssurface is substantially transparent, but a substrate that transmits 50%or less of the visible light incident upon its surface is notsubstantially transparent.

By using the term “overcoated” to describe the position of a layer withrespect to a substrate or other element of an article of the presentdisclosure, we refer to the layer as being atop the substrate or otherelement, but not necessarily contiguous to either the substrate or theother element.

The term “homogeneous” means exhibiting only a single phase of matterwhen observed at a macroscopic scale.

The term “(meth)acrylate” with respect to a monomer, oligomer or means avinyl-functional alkyl ester formed as the reaction product of analcohol with an acrylic or a methacrylic acid.

The term “adjoining” with reference to a particular layer means joinedwith or attached to another layer, in a position wherein the two layersare either next to (i.e., adjacent to) and directly contacting eachother, or contiguous with each other but not in direct contact (i.e.,there are one or more additional layers intervening between the layers).

The term “separated by” to describe the position of a layer with respectto another layer and the substrate, or two other layers, means that thedescribed layer is between, but not necessarily contiguous with, theother layer(s) and/or substrate.

The term “(co)polymer” or “(co)polymeric” includes homopolymers andcopolymers, as well as homopolymers or copolymers that may be formed ina miscible blend, e.g., by coextrusion or by reaction, including, e.g.,transesterification. The term “copolymer” includes random, block, graft,and star copolymers.

The term “water vapor permeable” as used herein means an article havinga permeance of more than 1 perm (inch-pounds units) according to ASTM E96 Procedure A (Desiccant Method). Likewise, water vapor impermeablerefers to articles having a permeance of less than 1 perm.

The term “discontinuous” as used herein means a coating having aninterrupted extension along a two dimensional surface. For example, insome embodiments, an air and water barrier article having adiscontinuous coating of pressure sensitive adhesive does not cover amajor surface of a polymeric layer or a major surface of a porous layer.

The term “perforated” as used herein means materials allowing passage ofliquids at ambient conditions.

The term “microporous” as used herein means a material that is permeableto moisture vapor, but impermeable to liquid water at 55 cm of waterpressure.

The term “air and water harrier” as used herein means material that isdesigned and constructed to provide the principal plane of air tightnessthrough an environmental separator and that has an air permeance rate nogreater than 0.02 L per square meter per second at a pressure differenceof 75 Pa when tested in accordance with ASTM E 2178-13 and providesacceptable barrier performance with respect to water according to AATCC127-2013. In some embodiments, the air and water barrier is impermeableto liquid water at 55 cm of water pressure.

The phrase “comprises at least one of” followed by a list refers tocomprising any one of the items in the list and any combination of twoor more items in the list. The phrase “at least one of” followed by alist refers to any one of the items in the list or any combination oftwo or more items in the list.

Air and Water Barrier Article

Referring now to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, presently disclosed airand water barrier articles 100 include a polymeric layer 130 that isdisposed on and covers a first major surface 122 of an elastic porouslayer 120.

In some embodiments, the presently disclosed air and water barrierarticles 100 include a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive useful foradhering the air and water barrier 100 articles to various surfaces.Referring now to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the presently disclosedair and water barrier articles 100 include an adhesive layer 150disposed on a major surface 124 of the elastic porous layer 120 oppositethe polymeric layer 130. Referring to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, thepresently disclosed air and water barrier articles 100 include a firstporous layer 160 disposed between the polymeric layer 130 and theelastic porous layer 120. In some embodiments, a second porous layer 170disposed on a major surface of the elastic porous layer 124 opposite thepolymeric layer 130, and an adhesive layer 150 disposed on a majorsurface 174 of the second porous layer 170 opposite the elastic porouslayer 120. In some embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive isdiscontinuously disposed on at least one of the aforementioned surfaces124, 132, 174 in a random manner. In some embodiments, the pressuresensitive adhesive is discontinuously disposed on at least one of theaforementioned surfaces 124, 132, 174 in a patterned manner. In someembodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive covers between 10% and 90%of the second major surface 124 of the elastic porous layer 120, between10% and 90% of the major surface 132 of the polymeric layer 130, between10% and 90% of the second major surface 174 of the second porous layer170, or between 10% and 90% of both the second major surface 124 of theelastic porous layer 120 or the second major surface 174 of the secondporous layer 170 and the major surface 132 of the polymeric layer 130.In some embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive is a permeablepressure sensitive adhesive that is continuously disposed on at leastone of a second major surface 124 of the elastic porous layer 120, asecond major surface 174 of the second porous layer 170, a major surface132 of the polymeric layer 130, or combinations thereof. In someembodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive is disposed only on onesurface of the air and water barrier article.

In some embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive layer 150 isdiscontinuously disposed on at least one of the outer the first majorsurface 124 of the elastic porous layer 120 or the first major surface174 of the second porous layer 170. In some embodiments, the pressuresensitive adhesive layer 150 is discontinuously disposed on the firstmajor surface 124 of the elastic porous layer 120 or the first majorsurface 174 of the second porous layer 170 in a random manner. In someembodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive is discontinuously disposedon the first major surface 124 of the elastic porous layer 120 or thefirst major surface 174 of the second porous layer 170 in a patternedmanner. In some embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive covers 10%to 90% of the surface area of on the first major surface 124 of theelastic porous layer 120 or the first major surface 174 of the secondporous layer 170. In some embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesiveis a permeable pressure sensitive adhesive that is continuously disposedon the first major surface 124 of the elastic porous layer 120 or thefirst major surface 174 of the second porous layer 170.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, any of the previously disclosed embodiments ofthe presently disclosed air and water barrier article can also include amicroporous membrane 180 disposed on a major surface 132 of thepolymeric layer 130 opposite the elastic porous layer 120. Referring nowto FIG. 4B, any of the previously disclosed embodiments of the sealingarticle can also include a microporous membrane 180 disposed on a majorsurface 124 of the elastic porous layer 120 opposite the polymeric layer130. The presently disclosed microporous membrane can comprise at leastone of stretched calcium carbonate filled polyolefin materials,immiscible polymer materials having an extractable component, orpolyolefins.

In some embodiments, the presently disclosed air and water barrierarticles have an elongation of greater than or equal to 90% in the crossdirection, in some embodiments, greater than or equal to 92% in thecross direction. In some embodiments, the air and water barrier articleshave an elongation of greater than or equal to 90% in the machinedirection, in some embodiments, greater than or equal to 105% in themachine direction or greater than or equal to 109% in the machinedirection.

In some embodiments, air and water barrier articles according to thepresent disclosure meet the requirements of Modified Test 1 of ASTMD-1970/D-1970M-13, Modified Test 2 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13, ModifiedTest 3 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13, or combinations thereof. Meeting therequirements of Modified Test 1 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13, Modified Test2 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13, Modified Test 3 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13,or combinations thereof can depend on a variety of factors. In general,polymeric layer comprising a polyoxyalkylene polymer having at least oneend group derived from an alkoxy silane can cause the article to meetthese requirements for nail sealability. The presence of trialkoxysilane groups in the polymer precursor and the presence of filler in thepolymeric layer can also improve the nail sealability of the air andwater barrier article. In some embodiments, self-sealing articles thatmeet the requirements of Modified Test 1 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13,Modified Test 2 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13, Modified Test 3 of ASTMD-1970/D-1970M-13 have a polymeric layer including at least 5, 10, 15,20, or 25 weight percent filler, including any of the fillers describedbelow. In some embodiments, self-sealing articles that meet therequirements of Modified Test 1 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13, Modified Test2 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13, Modified Test 3 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13include a polymeric layer having crosslinks derived from a trialkoxysilane.

Elastic Porous Layer, First Porous Layer and Second Porous Layer

The elastic porous layer, first porous layer, and second porous layermay comprise a variety of suitable materials including woven webs,non-woven webs, textiles, perforated plastic films, and combinationsthereof. The term “non-woven” refers to a material having a structure ofindividual fibers or threads that are interlaid but not in anidentifiable manner such as in a knitted fabric. Examples of non-wovenwebs include spunbond webs, spunlaced webs, airlaid webs, meltblown web,and bonded carded webs. In some embodiments, the substrate is a fibrousmaterial (e.g., a woven, nonwoven, or knit material). Useful porouslayers may be made of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers),synthetic fibers (e.g., thermoplastic fibers), or a combination ofnatural and synthetic fibers. Examples of suitable materials for formingthermoplastic fibers include polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene,polypropylene, polybutylene, ethylene copolymers, propylene copolymers,butylene copolymers, and copolymers and blends of these polymers),polyesters, and polyamides. The fibers may also be multi-componentfibers, for example, having a core of one thermoplastic material and asheath of another thermoplastic material. In some embodiments, thesubstrate comprises multiple layers of nonwoven materials with, forexample, at least one layer of a meltblown nonwoven and at least onelayer of a spunbonded nonwoven, or any other suitable combination ofnonwoven materials. For example, the elastic porous layer, first porouslayer, or second porous layer may be a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond,spunbond-spunbond, or spunbond-spunbond-spunbond multilayer material.

In some embodiments, materials useful in the presently disclosed elasticporous layer, first porous layer, or second porous layer includeperforated polymeric materials. In some embodiments, perforatedpolymeric material is selected from polyolefin, oriented polyolefin,polyester, oriented polyester, multilayer films and combinationsthereof. Examples of suitable perforated materials, such asmicroperforated materials, are those disclosed in WO 2011/081894(Scheibner et al.), which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed elastic porouslayer, first porous layer, or second porous layer is a nonwovencomprising fibers selected from polyester, polylactic acid, polyolefin,polyamide, rayon, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the elastic porous layer comprises at least one ofa plurality of elastomeric strands, elastic net, elastic nonwovenmaterial, elastic woven fabric, elastic knitted fabric, elastic foam, oran elastic microperforated film. Examples of useful materials for makingany of these elastic materials include thermoplastic elastomers such asABA block copolymers, polyurethane elastomers, polyolefin elastomers(e.g., metallocene polyolefin elastomers), polyamide elastomers,ethylene vinyl acetate elastomers, and polyester elastomers. An ABAblock copolymer elastomer generally is one where the A blocks arepolystyrenic, and the B blocks are conjugated dienes (e.g., loweralkylene dienes). The A block is generally formed predominantly ofsubstituted (e.g, alkylated) or unsubstituted styrenic moieties (e.g.,polystyrene, poly(alphamethylstyrene), or poly(t-butylstyrene)), havingan average molecular weight from about 4,000 to 50,000 grams per mole.The B block(s) is generally formed predominantly of conjugated dienes(e.g., isoprene, 1,3-butadiene, or ethylene-butylene monomers), whichmay be substituted or unsubstituted, and has an average molecular weightfrom about 5,000 to 500,000 grams per mole. The A and B blocks may beconfigured, for example, in linear, radial, or star configurations. AnABA block copolymer may contain multiple A and/or B blocks, which blocksmay be made from the same or different monomers. A typical blockcopolymer is a linear ABA block copolymer, where the A blocks may be thesame or different, or a block copolymer having more than three blocks,predominantly terminating with A blocks. Multi-block copolymers maycontain, for example, a certain proportion of AB diblock copolymer,which tends to form a more tacky elastomeric film segment. In someembodiments, the elastic porous layer useful for practicing the presentdisclosure is made from a variety of useful materials (e.g.,polypropylene, polypropylene-polyethylene copolymers, and thermoplasticpolyurethanes). In some embodiments, the elastic porous layer is made,for example, from multi-component (e.g., bi-component such ascore-sheath) fibers.

Several materials useful for making the elastic porous layer arecommercially available, for example, polyolefins from ExxonMobil,Houston, Tex., under the trade designation “VISTAMAXX” and thermoplasticpolyurethane elastomers from Huntsman, The Woodlands, Tex., under thetrade designation “IROGRAN”. In some embodiments, the elastic porouslayer comprises a marnix nonwoven. In some embodiments, the elasticporous layer comprises a spunbond nonwoven available from Idemitsu KosanCo., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, under the trade designation “STRAFLEX”.

In some embodiments, the elastic porous layer, first porous layer, orsecond porous layer comprises blown microfibers. In some embodiments,the elastic porous layer, first porous layer, or second porous layerincludes at least one extruded netting or scrims. In some embodiments,the elastic porous layer, first porous layer, or second porous layer isa woven material.

In some embodiments, the elastic porous layer, first porous layer, orsecond porous layer is microporous membrane. Suitable microporousmembranes include a thermally induced phase separated porous membrane asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,594 (Mrozinski). Such membranes arecommercially available under the trade designation “PROPORE” from 3M,St. Paul, Minn. Another suitable microporous membranes is a stretchedcalcium carbonate filled polyolefin film as described in U.S. Pat. No.4,923,650 (Antoon). Such membranes are commercially available under thetrade designation “MICROPRO” from Clopay Plastics, Mason, Ohio. Suitablemicroporous membranes can further include spunbonded or fibrous bondedpolyolefin as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,532,589 (David) and U.S. Pat.No. 5,972,147 (Janis). In some instances, the polyolefins (e.g.,polyethylene and polypropylene) are cast, annealed, and then stretched.One suitable microporous membrane is commercially available under thetrade designation “TYVEK” from E.I. Du Pont deNemours Corp., Wilmington,Del. Other suitable microporous membranes include oriented polymericfilms as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,035 (Jacoby et al.), and whichcomprise ethylene-propylene block copolymers. Such membranes arecommercially available under the trade designation “APTRA films” fromBP-Amoco Corp., Atlanta, Ga. Suitable microporous membranes can beformed from immiscible polymer materials or polymer materials that havean extractable component, such as solvent. These materials are stretchedafter casting.

In some embodiments, the elastic porous layer has a moisture vaportransmission rate of at least 1 perm, at least 5 perms, or at least 10perms.

In some embodiments, the elastic porous layer can dissipate water in theplane of the elastic porous layer. This is shown in Table 7, below. Suchwater dissipation can provide a mechanism for passing at least one ofthe nail sealability tests by removing the water from the nail sites. Insome embodiments, the elastic porous layer has a water strike throughtime of up to 400, 300, or 250 seconds as measured according to the testmethod in the examples, below.

Polymeric Layer

A variety of polymeric materials are useful for covering and in someembodiments at least partially impregnating and/or encapsulating theporous layer described above in any of its embodiments to make the airand water barrier article according to the present disclosure. In someembodiments, the polymeric material is a polyoxyalkylene polymer havingat least one end group derived from an alkoxy silane. Thepolyoxyalkylene polymer may be silyl terminated. In some embodiments,the polyoxyalkylene polymer further comprises at least one silylmodified branched group.

A production method of a polyoxyalkylene polymer having a reactivesilicon group may include those proposed in Japanese Kokoku PublicationS45-36319, Japanese Kokoku Publication S46-12154, Japanese KokaiPublication S50-156599, Japanese Kokai Publication S54-6096, JapaneseKokai Publication S55-13767, Japanese Kokai Publication S55-13468,Japanese Kokai Publication S57-164123, Japanese Kokoku PublicationH3-2450, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,632,557, 4,345,053, 4,366,307, and 4,960,844.Also, useful polymers for the air and water barrier articles accordingto the present disclosure include polyoxyalkylene polymers having anumber average molecular weight of 6,000 or higher and a Mw/Mn ratio of1.6 or lower and thus having high molecular weight and narrow molecularweight distribution as disclosed in Japanese Kokai PublicationS61-197631, Japanese Kokai Publication S61-215622, Japanese KokaiPublication S61-215623, Japanese Kokai Publication S61-218632, JapaneseKokai Publication H3-72527, Japanese Kokai Publication H3-47825, andJapanese Kokai Publication H8-231707.

In some embodiments, the main chain of the polyoxyalkylene polymer maycontain other functional groups such as a urethane bond. Theaforementioned urethane bond component is not particularly limited andmay include a segment (hereinafter, also referred to as an amidosegment) produced by reaction of an isocyanato group and an activehydrogen group.

The amido segment can be represented by the following formula:—NR⁵—C(O)—

(wherein R⁵ represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group,desirably a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent C₁₋₂₀ hydrocarbongroup, and more desirably a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent C₁₋₈hydrocarbon group).

The aforementioned amido segment may be part of a urethane groupproduced, for example, by reaction of an isocyanato group and a hydroxygroup; a urea group produced by reaction of an isocyanato group and anamino group; and a thiourethane group produced by reaction of anisocyanato group and a mercapto group. Also, in the present disclosure,groups produced by reaction of an active hydrogen in the aforementionedurethane group, urea group, and thiourethane group with anotherisocyanato group also include a segment represented by the formula—NR⁵—C(O)—.

Examples of methods for industrially producing a polyoxyalkylene polymerhaving an amido segment and a reactive silicon group include thosedisclosed in Japanese Kokoku Publication S46-12154 (U.S. Pat. No.3,632,557), Japanese Kokai Publications S58-109529 (U.S. Pat. No.4,374,237), S62-13430 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,816), H8-53528 (EP 0676403),and H10-204144 (EP 0831108), Japanese Kohyo Publication 2003-508561(U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,912), Japanese Kokai Publications H6-211879 (U.S.Pat. No. 5,364,955), H10-53637 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,756,751), H11-100427,2000-169544, 2000-169545 and 2002-212415, Japanese Patent No. 3,313,360,U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,067,844 and 3,711,445, Japanese Kokai Publications2001-323040, H11-279249 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,990,257), 2000-119365 (U.S.Pat. No. 6,046,270), S58-29818 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,053), H3-47825 (U.S.Pat. No. 5,068,304), H11-60724, 2002-155145, and 2002-249538,WO03/018658, WO03/059981, and Japanese Kokai Publication H6-211879 (U.S.Pat. No. 5,364,955), H10-53637 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,756,751), H10-204144(EP0831108), 2000-169544, 2000-169545, and 2000-119365 (U.S. Pat. No.6,046,270).

A (meth) acrylic ester polymer having a reactive silicon group may beadded to the polyoxyalkylene polymer having a reactive silicon group, ifdesired. Various (meth) acrylic ester monomers may be useful forproviding the main chain of the (meth) acrylic ester polymer. Examplesof useful (meth) acrylic ester monomers include methyl (meth) acrylate,ethyl (meth) acrylate, n-propyl (meth) acrylate, isopropyl (meth)acrylate, n-butyl (meth) acrylate, isobutyl (meth) acrylate, t-butyl(meth) acrylate, n-pentyl (meth) acrylate, n-hexyl (meth) acrylate,cyclohexyl (meth) acrylate, n-heptyl (meth) acrylate, n-octyl (meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth) acrylate, nonyl (meth) acrylate, decyl(meth) acrylate, dodecyl (meth) acrylate, phenyl (meth) acrylate, tolyl(meth) acrylate, benzyl (meth) acrylate, 2-methoxyethyl (meth) acrylate,3-methoxybutyl (meth) acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl (meth) acrylate,hydroxypropyl (meth) acrylate, stearyl (meth) acrylate, glycidyl (meth)acrylate, 2-aminoethyl (meth) acrylate, gamma-(methacryloyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane, gamma-(methacryloyloxypropyl) dimethoxymethylsilane,methacryloyloxymethyltrimethoxysilane,methacryloyloxymethyltriethoxysilane;methacryloyloxymethyldimethoxymethylsilane;methacryloyloxymethyldiethoxymethylsilane, ethylene oxide adduct of(meth) acrylic acid, trifluoromethylethyl (meth) acrylate,2-trifluoromethylethyl (meth) acrylate, 2-perfluoroethylethyl (meth)acrylate, 2-perfluoroethyl-2-perfluorobutylethyl (meth) acrylate,perfluoroethyl (meth) acrylate, trifluoromethyl (meth) acrylate, bis(trifluoromethyl) methyl (meth) acrylate,2-trifluoromethyl-2-perfluoroethylethyl (meth) acrylate,2-perfluorohexylethyl (meth) acrylate, 2-perfluorodecylethyl (meth)acrylate, and 2-perfluorohexadecylethyl (meth) acrylate.

With respect to the (meth) acrylic ester polymer, vinyl monomers can becopolymerized together with a (meth) acrylic ester monomer. Examples ofsuitable vinyl monomers include styrene monomers such as styrene,vinyltoluene, alpha-methylstyrene, chlorostyrene, styrenesulfonic acidand its salts; fluorine-containing vinyl monomers such asperfluoroethylene, perfluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride;silicon-containing vinyl monomers such as vinyltrimethoxysilane andvinyltriethoxysilane; maleic anhydride, maleic acid, and monoalkyl anddialkyl esters of maleic acid; fumaric acid, and monoalkyl and dialkylesters of fumaric acid; maleimide monomers such as maleimide;methylmaleimide; ethylmaleimide, propylmaleimide, butylmaleimide,hexylmaleimide, octylmaleimide, dodecylmaleimide, stearylmaleimide,phenylmaleimide, and cyclohexylmaleimide; nitrile group-containing vinylmonomers such as acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile; amidogroup-containing vinyl monomers such as acrylamide and methacrylamide;vinyl esters such as vinyl acetate; vinyl propionate, vinyl pivalate,vinyl benzoate, and vinyl cinnamate; alkenes such as ethylene andpropylene; conjugated dienes such as butadiene and isoprene; and vinylchloride, vinylidene chloride, allyl chloride; and allyl alcohol. Any ofthese monomers may be used alone or any combination of them may becopolymerized with the (meth) acrylic acid monomer. In some embodiments,polymers comprising a styrene monomer and/or a (meth)acrylic acidmonomer are desirable. In the above descriptions, (meth) acrylic acidmeans acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid.

The (meth) acrylic ester polymer can be prepared, for example, by aconventionally known method. For example, a “living radicalpolymerization” method can be conveniently employed in order to obtain a(meth) acrylic ester polymer having narrow molecular weight distributionand low viscosity and having a reactive silicon group at a molecularchain end at a high ratio. An “atom transfer radical polymerization”method is a living radical polymerization method useful for polymerizinga (meth) acrylic ester monomer using, for example, an organic halide ora halogenated sulfonyl compound as an initiator and a transition metalcomplex as a catalyst. An atom transfer radical polymerization methodadvantageously has a wide range of options for the initiator and thecatalyst. Because a halogen is located at a molecular chain end, whichis relatively advantageous for a functional group conversion reaction,the atom transfer radical polymerization method is useful as aproduction method of the (meth) acrylic ester polymer having a specifiedfunctional group. Examples of the atom transfer radical polymerizationmethod include the method disclosed in Krzysztof Matyjaszewski et al.,J. Am. Chem. Soc, vol. 117, p. 5614 (1995) and the method disclosed inJapanese Kokai Publication H9-272714.

Other examples of a production method of the (meth) acrylic esterpolymer having a reactive silicon group are production methods employingfree radical polymerization methods using chain transfer agents anddisclosed in Japanese Kokoku Publication H3-14068, Japanese KokokuPublication H4-55444, and Japanese Kokai Publication H6-211922. Theabove-mentioned (meth) acrylic ester polymers having a reactive silicongroup may be used alone or two or more kinds of them may be used incombination.

Examples of methods for producing an organic polymer involving blendinga polyoxyalkylene polymer having a reactive silicon group with a (meth)acrylic ester polymer having a reactive silicon group include thosedisclosed in Japanese Kokai Publication S59-122541, S63-11264,H6-172631, and H11-116763. Further, a production method for apolyoxyalkylene polymer obtained by blending the (meth) acrylic esterpolymer having a reactive silicon group may also include a method ofpolymerizing a (meth) acrylic ester monomer in the presence of apolyoxyalkylene polymer having a reactive silicon group. Examples ofthese methods include those disclosed in Japanese Kokai Publication559-78223, Japanese Kokai Publication S59-168014, Japanese KokaiPublication S60-228516, and Japanese Kokai Publication 560-228517.

Some of the silyl terminated polymers useful in the air and waterbarrier articles according to the present disclosure are commerciallyavailable, for example, from Kaneka Corporation under the tradedesignations “KANEKA MS POLYMER” and “KANEKA SILYL”, and from UnionCarbide Specialty Chemicals Division under the trade designations“SILMOD-SAT10”, “SILMOD SAT30”, “SILMOD SAT 200”, “SILMOD S203”, “SILMODS303”, “SILMOD 20A”, to name several, which were obtained from UnionCarbide Company. It has been reported that resins available under thetrade designation “SILMOD” have substantially the same chemistries assome resins available under the trade designations “MS” and “SILYL” fromKanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka Japan. For example, thematerial available under trade designation “SILMOD S203” corresponds tothe material available under trade designation “MS S203”, the materialavailable under trade designation “SILMOD S303” corresponds to thematerial available under trade designation “MS S303”, and the materialavailable under trade designation “SILMOD 20A” corresponds to thematerial available under trade designation “MS 20A”. In furtherexamples, the composition available under the trade designation “SILMODSAT10” corresponds to the composition available under the tradedesignation “SILYL SAT10”, the composition available under the tradedesignation “SILMOD SAT30” corresponds to the composition availableunder the trade designation “SILYL SAT30”, and the composition availableunder the trade designation “SILMOD 200” corresponds to the compositionavailable under the trade designation “SILYL 200”.

Materials useful in the presently disclosed polymeric layer includesolid materials and foam materials. In some embodiments, the foammaterial includes closed cell foams.

Polymeric materials useful for the air and water barrier articles of thepresent disclosure may optionally include various additives such asdehydrating agents, rheology additives, compatibilizers, tackifiers,physical property modifiers, photocurable substances, oxygen-curablesubstances, storage stability improving agents, fillers, epoxy resins,epoxy resin curing agents antioxidants, adhesion promoters, ultravioletabsorbers, metal deactivators, antiozonants, antioxidants, lightstabilizers, lubricants, amine type radical chain inhibitors,phosphorus-containing peroxide decomposers, lubricants, pigments,foaming agents, solvents, flame retardants, antifungal agents, blowingagents, and antistatic agents, each in an adequate amount. Theseadditives may be added singly to the polymeric material or two or morethereof may be added in combination to the polymeric material. Specificexamples of these additives are disclosed in publications such asJapanese Kokoku Publications H4-69659 and H7-108928, and Japanese KokaiPublications S63-254149, S64-22904, 2001-72854, and 2008-303650.

In the polymeric layers useful for the air and water barrier articles ofthe present disclosure, at least one of UV stabilizers or antioxidantsmay be present in an amount from 0 to 5 parts per 100 parts of the silylterminated polymer. These materials improve heat stability and UVresistance. Some useful UV stabilizers and antioxidants are commerciallyavailable, for example, those available under the trade designations“TINUVIN 770”, “TINUVIN 327”, “TINUVIN 1130” and “TINUVIN 292” fromBASF, Florham Park, N.J.

In some embodiments, the polymeric layer useful for practicing thepresent disclosure includes at least 0.1 wt. %, in some embodiments atleast 0.5 wt. % of one or more water scavengers, and at most 5 wt. %, insome embodiments at most 2 wt % of one or more water scavengers.Examples of suitable water scavengers include silanes such asvinyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, vinylmethyldimethoxysilane,O-methylcarbamatomethyl-methyldimethoxysilane,O-methylcarbamatomethyl-trimethoxysilane,O-ethylcarbamatomethyl-methyldiethoxysilane,O-ethyl-carbamatomethyl-triethoxysilane,3-methacryloyloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane,methacryloyloxymethyltrimethoxysilane,methacryloyloxymethylmethyldimethoxysilane,methacryloyloxymethyltriethoxysilane,methacryloxymethylmethyl-diethoxysilane,3-acryloxyoylpropyl-trimethoxysilane, acryloyloxymethyltrimethoxysilane,acryloyloxymethylmethyldimethoxysilane, acrylmethyltriethoxysilane,acryloyloxymethylmethyldiethoxysilane, alkylalkoxysilanes in general,and further functionalized organosilanes and other aminosilanes, whichare also described below as adhesion promoters.

In some embodiments, the polymeric materials useful for practicing thepresent disclosure include at least 0.1 wt %, in some embodiments, atleast 0.5 wt %, of one or more adhesion promoters. In some embodiments,the presently disclosed polymeric materials include at most 5 wt %, insome embodiments, at most 2 wt %, of one or more adhesion promoters.Useful adhesion promoters include those available under the tradedesignations “A1120”, “A187”, and “A189” from OSI and “Z9020” from DowChemical. Amino silanes can be used as adhesion promoters. Examples ofamino silane useful as adhesion promoters includegamma-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, gamma-aminopropyltriethoxysilane,gamma-aminopropyltriisopropoxysilane,gamma-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane,gamma-aminopropylmethyldiethoxysilane,gamma-(2-aminoethyl)aminopropyltrimethoxysilane,gamma-(2-aminoethyl)aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane,gamma-(2-aminoethyl)aminopropyltriethoxysilane,gamma-(2-aminoethyl)aminopropylmethyldiethoxysilane,gamma-(2-aminoethyl)aminopropyltriisopropoxysilane,gamma-(6-aminohexyl)aminopropyltrimethoxysilane,3-(N-ethylamino)-2-methylpropyltrimethoxysilane,2-aminoethylaminomethyltrimethoxysilane,N-cyclohexylaminomethyltriethoxysilane,N-cyclohexylaminomethyldiethoxymethylsilane,gamma-ureidopropyltrimethoxysilane, gamma-ureidopropyltriethoxysilane,N-phenyl-gamma-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane,N-phenylaminomethyltrimethoxysilane,N-benzyl-gamma-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane,N-vinylbenzyl-gamma-aminopropyltriethoxysilane,N,N′-bis[3-trimethoxysilyl]propyl]ethylenediamine,N-cyclohexylaminomethyltrimethoxysilane,N-cyclohexylaminomethyldimethoxymethylsilane, andN-phenylaminomethyltrimethoxysilane.

In some embodiments, the polymeric materials useful for practicing thepresent disclosure may comprise one or more catalysts. The catalyst maybe present in the polymeric material in an amount of from about 0.05 wt% to about 5 wt %, in some embodiments from about 0.1 wt % to about 2 wt%, and in some embodiments, from about 0.1 wt % to about 1 wt %. Usefulcatalysts include organometallic compounds which are known as silanolcondensation catalysts. The silanol condensation catalyst may be used inan amount of from about 0.01 to about 20 parts by weight per 100 partsby weight of the silyl-terminated polymer, in some embodiments, fromabout 0.1 to about 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of thesilyl-terminated polymer. Examples of suitable silanol condensationcatalysts include titanate esters such as tetrabutyl titanate andtetrapropyl titanate; organotin compounds such as dibutyltin dilaurate,dibuytltin maleate, dibutyltin diacetate, stannous octylate, stannousnapthenate, reaction products from dibutyltin oxide and phthalateesters, and dibutyltin diacetylacetonate; organoaluminum compounds suchas aluminum trisacetylacetonate, aluminum tris(ethylacetoacetate) anddiisopropocyaluminum ethyl acetoacetate; reaction products from bismuthsalts and organic carboxylic acids, such as bismuthtris(2-ethylhexonate) and bismuth tris(neodecanoate); chelate compoundssuch as zirconium tetra-acetylacetonate and titaniumtetra-acetylactonate; organolead compounds such as lead octylate;organovanadium compounds; amines such as butylamine, octylamine,dibutylamine, monoethanolamine, oleylamine, cyclohexylamine,benzylamine, diethylaminopropylamine, xylenediamine, triethylenediamine,guanidine, diphenylguanidine, 2,4,6-tris(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol,morpholine, N-methylmorpholine, 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole withcarboxylic or other acids; low-molecular-weight polyamide resins derivedfrom excess polyamines and polybasics acids; and reaction products fromexcess polyamines and epoxy compounds. Any of these may be usedindividually or in combination.

In some embodiments, polymeric materials useful for practicing thepresent disclosure comprise one or more pigments or fillers. Usefulfillers are typically solids that are non-reactive with the othercomponents of the polymeric material, porous material, and coatingcompositions. Useful fillers include, for example, clay, talc, dyeparticles, pigments and colorants (for example, titanium dioxide andcarbon black), glass beads, metal oxide particles, silica particles,ceramic microspheres, hollow polymeric microspheres (such as thoseavailable under the trade designation “EXPANCEL 551 DE” from Akzo Nobel,Duluth, Ga.), hollow glass microspheres (such as those available underthe trade designation “K37” from 3M Co., St Paul, Minn.), carbonates,metal oxides, silicates (e.g. talc, asbestos, clays, mica), sulfates,silicon dioxide and aluminum trihydrate. Some specific examples includeground or light calcium carbonate (with or without a surface-treatmentsuch as a fatty acid, resin acid, cationic surfactant, or anionicsurfactant); magnesium carbonate; talc; sulfates such as barium sulfate;alumina; metals in powder form (e.g., aluminum, zinc and iron);bentonite; kaolin clay; quartz powder; and combinations of two or moreof these.

Examples of useful organic pigments include halogenated copperphthalocyanines, aniline blacks, anthraquinone blacks, benzimidazolones,azo condensations, arylamides, diarylides, disazo condensations,isoindolinones, isoindolines, quinophthalones, anthrapyrimidines,flavanthrones, pyrazolone oranges, perinone oranges, beta-naphthols,arylamides, quinacridones, perylenes, anthraquinones, dibromanthrones,pyranthrones, diketopyrrolo-pyrrole pigments (DPP), dioxazine violets,copper and copper-free phthalocyanines, and indanthrones.

Examples of useful inorganic pigments include titanium dioxide, zincoxide, zinc sulphide, lithopone, antimony oxide, barium sulfate, carbonblack, graphite, black iron oxide, black micaceous iron oxide, browniron oxides, metal complex browns, lead chromate, cadmium yellow, yellowoxides, bismuth vanadate, lead chromate, lead molybdate, cadmium red,red iron oxide, Prussian blue, ultramarine, cobalt blue, chrome green(Brunswick green), chromium oxide, hydrated chromium oxide, organicmetal complexes, and laked dye pigments.

The filler can also comprise conductive particles (see, for example,U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2003/0051807, which is incorporatedherein by reference) such as carbon particles or metal particles ofsilver, copper, nickel, gold, tin, zinc, platinum, palladium, iron,tungsten, molybdenum, solder or the like, or particles prepared bycovering the surface of these particles with a conductive coating of ametal or the like. It is also possible to use non-conductive particlesof a polymer such as polyethylene, polystyrene, phenol resin, epoxyresin, acryl resin or benzoguanamine resin, or glass beads, silica,graphite or a ceramic, whose surfaces have been covered with aconductive coating of a metal.

In some embodiments, the polymeric material includes inorganic solidssuch as talc, titanium dioxide, silica, zirconia, calcium carbonate,calcium magnesium carbonate, glass or ceramic microspheres, orcombinations thereof. In some embodiments, the polymeric materialincludes at least one of titanium dioxide or calcium carbonate.

In some embodiments, the polymeric material useful for practicing thepresent disclosure comprises a plasticizer. In some of theseembodiments, the plasticizer does not contain any groups reactive towardsilane/alkoxysilane. Examples of suitable plasticizers for the polymericmaterial include which polyethers, polyether esters, esters of organiccarboxylic acids or anhydrides thereof, such as phthalates (e.g.,dialkyl phthalates such as di-(2-ethyl-hexyl)-phthalates, dibutylphthalate, diethyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate, butyl octyl phthalate,dicyclohexyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate,diisononyl phthalate, and diisodecyl phthalate); adipates (e.g.,di-(2-ethylhexyl)adipate, diisooctyl adipate, octyl decyladipate; anddioctyl adipate); alkyl azelates (e.g., di(2-ethylhexyl)azelate anddi-(2-ethylbutyl)azelate); and dialkyl sebacates (e.g., dibutylsebacate, dioctylsebacate, and diisooctyl sebacate). Other suitableplasticizers include phosphates such as triaryl phosphates (e.g.,tricresyl phosphate, triphenyl phosphate, cresyl(liphenyl phosphate);trialkyl phosphates (e.g., trioctyl phosphate and tributyl phosphate);alkoxyalkyl phosphates (e.g., trisbutoxyethyl phosphate); and alkyl arylphosphates (e.g., octyldiphenyl phosphate); citrates such as acetyltri-n-butyl citrate, acetyl triethyl citrate, monoisopropyl citrate,triethyl citrate, mono-, di-, and tri-stearyl citrate; triacetin;p-tert-butyl; n-octyl benzoate; 2-ethylhexyl benzoate; isooctylbenzoate; n-nonyl benzoate; n-decyl benzoate; isodecyl benzoate;2-propylheptyl benzoate; n-undecyl benzoate; isoundecyl benzoate;n-dodecyl benzoate; isododecyl benzoate; isotridecyl benzoate;n-tridecyl benzoate; triisononyl trimellitate; C₁₃-rich C₁₁-C₁₄-alkylbenzoates, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, plasticizersuseful for practicing the present disclosure include esters, such astriethylene glycol bis (2-ethylhexanoate) commercially available underthe trade designation “Eastman TEG-EH” from Eastman. In someembodiments, at least one of diethylene glycol monobenzoate, diethyleneglycol dibenzoate, propylene glycol monobenzoate, propylene glycoldibenzoate, polypropylene glycol monobenzoate, polypropylene glycoldibenzoate can be used individually or in combination with any of theaforementioned plasticizers.

The amount of plasticizer employed, if one is employed, will depend onthe nature of the polymeric resin and the plasticizer.

The polymeric material useful for practicing the present disclosure maycomprise one or more organic solvents. Examples of suitable solventsinclude non-reactive compounds which may be aliphatic, aromatic, oraraliphatic. Examples of suitable solvents include methoxypropylacetate, methoxyethyl acetate, ethylene glycol diacetate, propyleneglycol diacetate, glyme, diglyme, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, dioxolane,tert-butyl methyl ether, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, chloroform,methylene chloride, chlorobenzene, o-dichlorobenzene, anisole,1,2-dimethoxybenzene, phenyl acetate, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone,dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulphoxide,acetonitrile, phenoxyethyl acetate, and combinations of two or more ofthese. In some embodiments, the solvent comprises at least one ofmethoxypropyl acetate, acetone, 2-butanone, xylene, toluene,cyclohexanone, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, 1-methoxyprop-2-yl acetate,ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, 3-methoxy-n-butyl acetate, whitespirit, more highly substituted aromatics such as those commerciallyavailable, for example, under the trade designations “NAPTHA”,“SOLVESSO”, “ISOPAR”, “NAPPAR” from Deutsche EXXON CHEMICAL GmbH,Cologne, DE; “SHELLSOL” from Deutsche Shell Chemie GmbH, Eschborn, DE;methyl n-amyl ketone (“MAK”) and “AROMATIC 100” “AROMATIC 150” fromExxonMobile Chemical; xylene, methyl isobutyl ketone (“MIBK”), and ethyl3-ethoxypropionate from Eastman Chemical Company.

Additional compositions useful for the polymeric material useful forpracticing the present disclosure can be found in Int. Pat. Appl. Pub.Nos. WO 2015/126931 (Seabaugh et al.) and WO 2015/183354 (Widenbrant etal.), the examples of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Pressure Sensitive Adhesive

In some embodiments, the air and water barrier articles according to thepresent disclosure are self-adhering, comprising an adhesive layer, insome embodiments, a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) material. PSAs arewell known to those of ordinary skill in the art to possess propertiesincluding the following: (1) aggressive and permanent tack, (2)adherence with no more than finger pressure, (3) sufficient ability tohold onto an adherend, and (4) sufficient cohesive strength to becleanly removable from the adherend. Materials that have been found tofunction well as PSAs are polymers designed and formulated to exhibitthe requisite viscoelastic properties resulting in a desired balance oftack, peel adhesion, and shear holding power.

A variety of pressure sensitive adhesives are useful for adhering airand water barrier articles to architectural structures (e.g., buildings)and building components, for example. These include both water vaporpermeable and water vapor impermeable pressure sensitive adhesives. Anexample of the latter is a rubber modified asphalt (bitumen) pressuresensitive adhesive or a synthetic rubber pressure sensitive adhesive.Such pressure sensitive adhesives are well known in the art andunderstood to be water vapor impermeable. Further examples of suitablePSAs include natural rubber-, acrylic-, block copolymer-, silicone-,polyisobutylene-, polyvinyl ether-, polybutadiene-, or and urea-basedpressure sensitive adhesive and combinations thereof. These PSAs can beprepared, for example, as described in Adhesion and AdhesivesTechnology, Alphonsus V. Pocius, Hanser/Gardner Publications, Inc.,Cincinnati, Ohio, 1997, pages 216 to 223, Handbook of Pressure SensitiveAdhesive Technology, Donatas Satas (Ed.), 2nd Edition, Van NostrandReinhold, New York, N.Y., 1989, Chapter 15, and U.S. Pat. No. Re 24,906(Ulrich).

In some embodiments, the adhesive is selected to be a solventless or hotmelt adhesive. In some embodiments, solvent based adhesives or waterbased adhesives may be used. Examples of suitable adhesives includeradiation-cured (e.g., ultraviolet (UV) radiation or electron-beam cured(co)polymers resulting from polymerizable monomers or oligomers) may beused. Suitable hot melt adhesives may contain (co)polymers such as butylrubber, styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS),styrene butadiene (SB), styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS), andethylene/vinylacetate (EVA). Tackifying resins, which generally refer tomaterials that are compatible with the elastomer and have a numberaverage molecular weight of up to 10,000 grams per mole, are typicallyadded to these elastomers. Useful tackifying resins can have a softeningpoint of at least 70° C. as determined using a ring and ball apparatusand a glass transition temperature of at least −30° C. as measured bydifferential scanning calorimetry. In some embodiments, the tackifyingresin comprises at least one of rosin, a polyterpene (e.g., those basedon α-pinene, β-pinene, or limonene), an aliphatic hydrocarbon resin(e.g., those based on cis- or trans-piperylene, isoprene,2-methyl-but-2-ene, cyclopentadiene, dicyclopentadiene, or combinationsthereof), an aromatic resin (e.g. those based on styrene, α-methylstyrene, methyl indene, indene, coumarone, or combinations thereof), ora mixed aliphatic-aromatic hydrocarbon resin. Any of these tackifyingresins may be hydrogenated (e.g., partially or completely). Natural andpetroleum waxes, oil, and bitumen may be useful as additives to thepressure sensitive adhesive composition.

In some embodiments, PSAs compositions that are useful in the roll andmethod according to the present disclosure are acrylic PSAs. As usedherein, the term “acrylic” or “acrylate” includes compounds having atleast one of acrylic or methacrylic groups. Useful acrylic PSAs can bemade, for example, by combining at least two different monomersincluding certain of the second monomers described above. Examples ofsuitable second monomers include 2-methylbutyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexylacrylate, isooctyl acrylate, lauryl acrylate, n-decyl acrylate,4-methyl-2-pentyl acrylate, isoamyl acrylate, sec-butyl acrylate,isononyl acrylate, and methacrylates of the foregoing acrylates.Examples of suitable additional monomers useful for preparing acrylicPSAs include a (meth)acrylic acid (e.g., acrylic acid, methacrylic acid,itaconic acid, maleic acid, and fumaric acid), a (meth)acrylamide (e.g.,acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-ethyl acrylamide, N-hydroxyethylacrylamide, N-octyl acrylamide, N-t-butyl acrylamide, N,N-dimethylacrylamide, N,N-diethyl acrylamide, N-ethyl-N-dihydroxyethyl acrylamide,and methacrylamides of the foregoing acrylamides), a (meth)acrylate(e.g., 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate or methacrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate,t-butyl acrylate, isobornyl acrylate, and methacrylates of the foregoingacrylates), N-vinyl pyrrolidone, N-vinyl caprolactam, an alpha-olefin, avinyl ether, an allyl ether, a styrenic monomer, or a maleate. In someembodiments, the PSA in the composition according to the presentdisclosure includes a pendent carboxylic acid group incorporated intothe PSA by including, for example, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid,itaconic acid, maleic acid, or fumaric acid in the preparation of thePSA.

Acrylic PSAs may also be made by including cross-linking agents in theformulation. Examples of cross-linking agents include copolymerizablepolyfunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomers (e.g., 1,6-hexanedioldiacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, pentaerythritoltetraacrylate, and 1,2-ethylene glycol diacrylate); ethylenicallyunsaturated compounds which in the excited state are capable ofabstracting hydrogen (e.g., acrylated benzophenones such as described inU.S. Pat. No. 4,737,559 (Kellen et al.), p-acryloxy-benzophenone, whichis available from Sartomer Company, Exton, Pa., monomers described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,073,611 (Rehmer et al.) includingp-N-(methacryloyl-4-oxapentamethylene)-carbamoyloxybenzophenone,N-(benzoyl-p-phenylene)-N′-(methacryloxymethylene)-carbodiimide, andp-acryloxy-benzophenone); nonionic crosslinking agents which areessentially free of olefinic unsaturation and is capable of reactingwith carboxylic acid groups, for example, in the third monomer describedabove (e.g., 1,4-bis(ethyleneiminocarbonylamino)benzene;4,4-bis(ethyleneiminocarbonylamino)diphenylmethane;1,8-bis(ethyleneiminocarbonylamino)octane; 1,4-tolylene diisocyanate;1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, N,N′-bis-1,2-propyleneisophthalamide,diepoxides, dianhydrides, bis(amides), and bis(imides)); and nonioniccrosslinking agents which are essentially free of olefinic unsaturation,are noncopolymerizable with the first and second monomers, and, in theexcited state, are capable of abstracting hydrogen (e.g.,2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-(4-methoxy)phenyl)-s-triazine;2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-(3,4-dimethoxy)phenyl)-s-triazine;2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-(3,4,5-trimethoxy)phenyl)-s-triazine;2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-(2,4-dimethoxy)phenyl)-s-triazine;2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-(3-methoxy)phenyl)-s-triazine as described inU.S. Pat. No. 4,330,590 (Vesley);2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-naphthenyl-s-triazine and2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-(4-methoxy)naphthenyl-s-triazine as describedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,329,384 (Vesley)).

Typically, the second monomer is used in an amount of 80-100 parts byweight (pbw) based on a total weight of 100 parts of copolymer, and anadditional monomer as described above is used in an amount of 0-20 pbwbased on a total weight of 100 parts of copolymer. The crosslinkingagent can be used in an amount of 0.005 to 2 weight percent based on thecombined weight of the monomers, for example from about 0.01 to about0.5 percent by weight or from about 0.05 to 0.15 percent by weight.

The acrylic PSAs useful for practicing the present disclosure can beprepared, for example, in solvent or by a solvent free, bulk,free-radical polymerization process (e.g., using heat, electron-beamradiation, or ultraviolet radiation). Such polymerizations are typicallyfacilitated by a polymerization initiator (e.g., a photoinitiator or athermal initiator). The polymerization initiator is used in an amounteffective to facilitate polymerization of the monomers (e.g., 0.1 partto about 5.0 parts or 0.2 part to about 1.0 part by weight, based on 100parts of the total monomer content).

If a photocrosslinking agent is used, the coated adhesive can be exposedto ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of about 250 nm to about400 nm. The radiant energy in this range of wavelength required tocrosslink the adhesive is about 100 millijoules/cm² to about 1,500millijoules/cm², or more specifically, about 200 millijoules/cm² toabout 800 millijoules/cm².

A useful solvent-free polymerization method is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 4,379,201 (Heilmann et al.). Initially, a mixture of second andthird monomers can be polymerized with a portion of a photoinitiator byexposing the mixture to UV radiation in an inert environment for a timesufficient to form a coatable base syrup, and subsequently adding acrosslinking agent and the remainder of the photoinitiator. This finalsyrup containing a crosslinking agent (e.g., which may have a Brookfieldviscosity of about 100 centipoise to about 6000 centipoise at 23° C., asmeasured with a No. 4 LTV spindle, at 60 revolutions per minute) canthen be coated onto a substrate, for example, a polymeric filmsubstrate. Once the syrup is coated onto the substrate, for example, thepolymeric film substrate, further polymerization and crosslinking can becarried out in an inert environment (e.g., nitrogen, carbon dioxide,helium, and argon, which exclude oxygen). A sufficiently inertatmosphere can be achieved by covering a layer of the photoactive syrupwith a polymeric film, such as silicone-treated PET film, that istransparent to UV radiation or e-beam and irradiating through the filmin air.

Solvent-based adhesives may contain ingredients such as those listedabove, dissolved or dispersed in a solvent vehicle. Water basedadhesives would normally be based on emulsions of (co)polymericmaterials. Suitable (co)polymeric materials include vinyl acetate and(meth)acrylic homopolymers and copolymers. The phrase “(meth)acrylichomopolymers and copolymers” is typically used to mean homopolymers andcopolymers of one or more (meth)acrylic esters (and acids) only,ethylene/vinyl acetate as well as styrene/acrylic, vinylchloride/acrylic, vinyl versatate and others. Water based adhesives mayhave the disadvantage that they generally require the additional use ofdrying ovens or heat lamps to evaporate the water.

If a water vapor permeable pressure sensitive adhesive is used, the airand water barrier article may be completely coated on one side. If awater vapor impermeable pressure sensitive adhesive is used, then theair and water barrier article is desirably only partially coated withadhesive, typically in the range of about 10% to 90%, more typicallyabout 30% to 80%, most typically 40% to 70%, of the surface area of thearticle. In other words, at least 10% to 90%, in some embodiments 20% to70% or 30% to 60%, of the surface area of the air and water barrierarticle is typically adhesive-free in order to maintain sufficient watervapor permeability of the article.

The adhesive may suitably be applied to the air and water barrierarticle at a thickness of 0.001 inches to 0.1 inch (about 0.0254-2.54millimeters). In some embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive isapplied at a thickness of 0.003 inches to 0.025 inches (about0.0762-0.635 mm) or at a thickness of 0.005 inches to 0.02 inches (about0.127-0.508 mm).

Adhesive Patterns

In some embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive is impermeable towater vapor. In some of these embodiments, to retain a desired level ofwater vapor permeance in the air and water barrier articles, theadhesive is applied to the air and water barrier article in adiscontinuous manner in order to leave portions of the major outersurface of the air and water barrier article uncoated with adhesive.

In order to prevent the lateral movement of air between the air andwater barrier article and the substrate to which it is bonded, andthrough lap joints of the air and water barrier article, the adhesivecoated areas of the air and water barrier article can be made tointersect to isolate the uncoated areas, thereby eliminating channelsthrough which air can laterally move. This can be achieved by any numberof patterns, such as intersecting circles with adhesive free centers,intersecting squares or rectangles of adhesive, intersecting strips in acheckered pattern, etc.

The adhesive may suitably be applied so as to cover 5% to 99% of thearea of one side of the air and water barrier article. In someembodiments, it is applied to cover between 10% and 90% of the area, insome embodiments between 30% to 80% or 40% to 70% of the area, to obtaina balance of adhesion and water vapor permeance for the article.

Partial coatings of adhesive may be applied in a random fashion or in aspecific pattern. Some examples of partial coatings of adhesive aredescribed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,039,893 (Banigan, Jr.), U.S.Pat. No. 3,426,754 (Bierenbaum), U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,477 (Lawless), U.S.Pat. No. 5,593,771 (Lawless), U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,301 (Porter), U.S.Pat. No. 6,495,229 (Carte), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,901,712 (Lionel). Insome embodiments, the adhesive is provided from dispensing outlets on afirst distribution manifold and a second distribution manifold. Thefirst distribution manifold can move while the second distributionmanifold is kept stationary. Further details about this method can befound, for example, in Int. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. WO 2015/126645 (Maier etal.) and WO 2015/126931 (Seabaugh et al.), the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

Liner

Air and water barrier articles according to the present disclosureinclude a liner. Various liners may be useful in the linered air andwater barrier article according to the present disclosure. In someembodiments, the liner comprises at least one of a polyester film,polyethylene film, polypropylene film, polyolefin coated polymer film,polyolefin coated paper, acrylic coated polymer film, and polymer coatedkraft paper. The polyolefin coated film or paper may be polyethylenecoated film or paper. Examples of suitable commercially available linersinclude those available under the trade designations “2.0 CL PETU4162/U4162” and “4 BU DHP UE1094B/000” from Loparex, Hammond, Wis. anda red pigmented, multilayer, thermoplastic olefin film containing aproprietary blend of high density polyethylene and low densitypolyethylene, having a thickness of about 63 micrometers (0.0025inches), commercially available from Iso Poly Films, Incorporated, GrayCourt, S.C.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the present disclosure provides a linered airand water barrier article 50 comprising an air and water barrier article21 according to the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2 and the correspondingtext herein. In some embodiments, the linered air and water barrierarticle 50 is a rolled article as shown in FIG. 7. In some embodiments apeel adhesion between the second major surface 32 of the liner 25 andthe pressure sensitive adhesive 12 is less than or equal to a peeladhesion between the first major surface 30 of the liner 25 and thesecond major surface 13 of the air and water barrier article 21. In someembodiments, the liner 25 is coated on at least one of the majorsurfaces 30, 32 with a release coating. In some embodiments, surfacemodification is optionally used at the interface between the secondmajor surface 13 of the article 21 and the first major surface 30 of theliner 25.

In some embodiments, the liner 25 is coated on at least one of its majorsurfaces 30, 32 with a release coating. In some embodiments both majorsurfaces 30, 32 of the liner 25 are coated with a release coating. Inthis case, the release coating may the same or different on each of themajor surfaces 30, 32 of the liner 25. Examples of materials useful asrelease coatings for the liners disclosed herein include acrylics,silicones, siloxanes, fluoropolymers, and urethanes. For example, insome embodiments, a liner useful in the roll according to the presentdisclosure is a polyolefin-coated polyester film with silicone treatmenton one side, such as those commercially available under the tradedesignation “48 #CL PET H/H UE1095/000” from Loparex, Hammond, Wis. Insome embodiments, one side may have a silicone coating and the other anacrylic coating. A silicone coating may be useful for facilitatingrelease of the pressure sensitive adhesive, while the acylic coating mayhave higher peel adhesion to at least a portion of the air and waterbarrier article (e.g., the polymeric layer).

The liner may be produced using a variety of processing techniques. Forexample, liner processing techniques such as those disclosed in U.S.Pat. Appl. No. 2013/0059105 (Wright et al.) may be useful to produce aliner suitable for practicing the present disclosure. A suitable linerprocessing technique may include applying a layer comprising a(meth)acrylate-functional siloxane to a major surface of a substrate andirradiating that layer in a substantially inert atmosphere comprising nogreater than 500 ppm oxygen with a short wavelength polychromaticultraviolet light source having at least one peak intensity at awavelength of from about 160 nanometers to about 240 nanometers.Irradiating can at least partially cure the layer. In some embodiments,the layer is cured at a curing temperature greater than 25° C. The layermay be at a temperature of at least 50° C., 60° C. 70° C., 80° C., 90°C., 100° C., 125° C., or at least 150° C., in some embodiments, no morethan 250° C., 225° C., 200° C., 190° C., 180° C., 170° C., 160° C., or155° C.

In some embodiments, liner can be surface treated (e.g., at least on thefirst major surface) to increase tack or adhesion between the liner andthe polymeric material. Examples of materials or surface treatmentsuseful for increase tack or adhesion between the polymeric material andthe first major surface of the liner include any chemical or physicalsurface modifications to any of the polymeric material, the first majorsurface of the liner, or both. For example, a chemical surface modifiercan be used. In some embodiments, adhesion modification can beaccomplished by selecting a specific liner surface morphology toincrease surface area and physical interlocking of the polymericmaterial.

In many embodiments, the liner is impermeable to water vapor. In theseembodiments, the liner can peeled away from the air and water barrierarticle after the air and water barrier article is applied to a surface(e.g., a surface of a building component). In other embodiments, atleast a portion of the liner is not removed from the air and waterbarrier article as described in further detail below.

Coating Composition

In some embodiments of the linered air and water barrier articleaccording to the present disclosure, the article includes a coatingcomposition disposed between at least a portion of the polymeric layerand the liner. The coating composition has a different peel adhesion tothe liner than the polymeric layer. In some embodiments, the coatingcomposition has a first peel adhesion to the liner that is lower than asecond peel adhesion between the polymeric layer and the liner.Therefore, the coating composition may be useful for reducing tack oradhesion between the polymeric material and the liner. Generally, thecoating composition is not tacky and therefore would not be considered aPSA.

Useful coating compositions include any of a variety of materials thatare typically non-tacky and can be disposed between the polymericmaterial and the liner. Examples of suitable coating compositionsinclude inks, release coatings, and slip coatings. In some embodiments,the coating composition comprises at least one of a polyamide, apolyurethane, a silyl-terminated polyether, a vinyl polymer, an acrylicpolymer, or a nitrocellulose polymer. A useful silyl-terminatedpolyether can be prepared as a polymeric material described above, forexample, and increasing the amount of inorganic filler in the polymericmaterial can decrease its peel adhesion to the liner.

In some embodiments, the coating composition can be selected fromcommercially available materials. For example, useful coatingcompositions include a liquid, white ink available under the tradedesignation “DT OPAQUE WHITE” from Sun Chemical Corporation, Carlstadt,N.J., a liquid, red ink available under the trade designation“SUNSPECTRO SB TRUWEATHER YS RED” from Sun Chemical Corporation, avinyl, white ink available under the trade designation 13W1541 SOLVENTVINYLWHITE from Penn Color, Doylestown, Pa., a water-based inkdispersion of titanium dioxide and binder resin, available under thetrade designation SPPFW1836936/G267 from Sun Chemical Corporation, awater-based polyurethane dispersion, available under the tradedesignation PERMAX 202 from The Lubrizol Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio,and a solvent-based polyamide primer, available under the tradedesignation POLYURETHANE PROTECTIVE TAPE ADHESION PROMOTER 86A from 3MCompany, St. Paul, Minn.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the present disclosure provides a linered airand water barrier article 21 having opposing first and second majorsurfaces 22, 13, a pressure sensitive adhesive 12 disposed on at leastthe first major surface 13 of the article 21, a coating composition 42disposed on the second major surface 22 of the article 21, and a liner25 having a first major surface 30 that contacts the coating composition42. The pressure sensitive adhesive 12 contacts a second major surface32 of the liner 25 when wound up in the roll. The coating composition 42has a first peel adhesion to the first major surface 30 of the liner 25that is lower than a peel adhesion between the polymeric layer and thefirst major surface 30 of the liner 25. The peel adhesion between thesecond major surface 32 of the liner 25 and the pressure sensitiveadhesive 12 is generally less than or equal to the peel adhesion betweenthe first major surface 30 of the liner 25 and the coating composition42 and/or the polymeric material on the air and water barrier article21.

In these embodiment, the air and water barrier article need not passModified Test 1 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13 or Modified Test 2 of ASTMD-1970/D-1970M-13, or Modified Test 3 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13. Forexample, if the air and water barrier article is used as a window silltape as described below, it may be flashed over another air and waterbarrier article that passes at least one of Modified Test 1 of ASTMD-1970/D-1970M-13 or Modified Test 2 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13, orModified Test 3 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13.

FIG. 8 illustrates a roll wound with the pressure sensitive adhesive onthe outside of the roll, which is useful for applying the roll to abuilding component since the roll does not have to first be unwound. Inother embodiments, the roll may be wound with the pressure sensitiveadhesive on the inside of the roll as shown in FIG. 7.

Referring now to FIG. 9, which is an end cross-section view of the roll50 described as multilayer construction 10, coating composition 42 isdisposed between a portion of the liner 25 and the air and water barrierarticle 21. Coating composition 42 can be positioned in variousconfigurations and can have various widths relative to the air and waterbarrier article. The liner 25 and air and water barrier article 21 cancontact each other in the portion of the linered air and water barrierarticle that does not include a coating composition. It is also possibleto have first and second coating compositions, each having a differentpeel adhesion to the liner 25. Also shown in FIG. 9 is perforation 27 inthe liner 25. In some embodiments, the liner is slit at a locationcorresponding to an edge of the coating composition 42. The edge of thecoating composition is where the coating composition stops when it doesnot extend for the entire width of the air and water barrier article. Insome embodiments, the perforation 27 is within one centimeter, 5millimeters (mm), 4 mm, 3 mm, 2 mm, or 1 mm of the edge of the coatingcomposition 42. The perforation may be made in the liner bycontrolled-depth slitting.

A variety of slitting methods may be useful for slitting the liner, forexample, rotary cutting or laser cutting. For perforations using arotary cutter, the cutter may have notches to leave some of the linerunslit to make perforation 27.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the multilayer article 10shown in FIG. 9 after a portion of the liner 25 has been removed. Inthis view, the liner 25 covers a portion of the air and water barrierarticle but does not cover the coating composition 42. In someembodiments, the liner extends to the location of the edge of thecoating composition, as this location is defined above in any of itsembodiments. In FIG. 10, coating composition 42 extends along one sideof the article 10 in the machine direction and liner 25 extends alongthe opposite side of the article 10 in the machine direction. In someembodiments, including the illustrated embodiment, coating compositionforms at least one continuous strip extending along the length of theroll. In some embodiments, the coating composition is discontinuous.

Although FIG. 9 illustrates that the liner is perforated, the liner canalso be torn without first being perforated, for example, if it has beenstretched in the machine direction. In these embodiments, the liner mayalso be cut without first being perforated.

As shown in the Examples, below, the coating composition can influencethe peel adhesion between the air and water barrier article and theliner. In some embodiments, the peel adhesion between the air and waterbarrier article and the liner is at least 15, 20, or 25 N/dm. The linercan be more easily removed from the air and water barrier article whereit overlays the coating composition but can remain adhered to the airand water barrier article at other locations. The peel adhesions can bedetermined as described in the Examples below.

Any suitable coating method may be useful for applying the coatingcompositions to the air and water barrier article and/or the liner. Forexample, spray coating and gravure coating may be useful.

Applications

In some embodiments, the presently disclosed air and water barrierarticle has a moisture vapor transmission rate of 1 perms or moreaccording to ASTM E96 method. In some embodiments, the presentlydisclosed air and water barrier article has a moisture vaportransmission rate of 5 perms or more according to ASTM E96 method. Insome embodiments, the article has a permeability of greater than 10perms according to ASTM E 96. In some embodiments, thicknesses of thedifferent layers used in the air and water barrier article are varied toachieve desired permeability of the article.

In some embodiments, the presently disclosed air and water barrierarticle is applied on an exterior sheathing layer, which is commonlyplywood, oriented strand board (OSB), foam insulation sheathing,nonwoven glass mat faced gypsum sheathing board, or other conventionalsheathing materials commonly used in the construction industry. Usefulexterior cladding layer is made up of brick, concrete blocks, reinforcedconcrete, stone, vinyl siding, fiber cement board, clapboard, metalpanels, or other known exterior siding materials. In some embodiments,the air and water barrier article is applied to a roofing deck, an atticfloor or other attic surface, a boundary between a wall, roof system,and/or foundation, other interior or exterior surfaces of a structure,or used as flashing around a roof penetration.

Building components include panels and other constructions before,during, or after they become part of an architectural structure.

The air and water barrier article according to the present disclosurecan be applied to a building component by adhering at least a portion ofthe pressure sensitive adhesive on the roll in any of the aboveembodiments to a surface of an building component, so that the air andwater barrier article is affixed to the surface of the buildingcomponent. When the roll is unwound, the liner releases from thepressure sensitive adhesive and remains adhered to at least the secondcoating composition on the air and water barrier article (and in somecases the first coating composition) even when a peel adhesion betweenthe second major surface of the liner and the pressure sensitiveadhesive is equal to the second peel adhesion. Adhering the roll to thebuilding component can be carried out before or after the roll isunwound. In some embodiments, the roll is adhered to the buildingcomponent before it is unwound. In some embodiments, the roll is atleast partially unwound before it is adhered to the building component.In embodiments in which the roll is wound with the pressure sensitiveadhesive on the inside of the roll, as shown in FIG. 7, the roll may beunwound at least partially before the roll is adhered to the buildingcomponent.

Next the liner can be peeled away from the air and water barrierarticle. Peeling the liner away from the first and second coatingcomposition is optional and depends on whether a water vapor permeableliner is used and whether water vapor permeability is desired.

In some embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 and10, the liner is removed from a portion of the air and water barrierarticle while leaving a portion of the liner disposed on the majorsurface of the polymer layer. When the liner is impermeable, this canresult in an air and water barrier article with different permeabilitiesin different zones. In these embodiments, the linered air and waterbarrier article according to the present disclosure is useful for thesill pan flashing of a window. It is desirable to have a non-permeablesill piece under the window and to have a permeable section of the tapeto flash onto the vertical wall sections of the flashing. Thenon-permeable section offers the greatest protection in the sill, whilethe permeable section offers a way for moisture to get out in the eventof a failed flashing installation. The elastic porous layer in the airand water barrier article allows it to have sufficient elongation to beable to stretch into the corner detail as a continuous sheet withoutseams and lay flat.

When the air and water barrier article according to the presentdisclosure is used as a sill tape, the width of the article is at least10 centimeters and can be up to 30 centimeters. These widths allow thetape to be positioned in a window sill with the impermeable portioncovering the sill and the permeable portion on the flashing.

In other applications, the air and water barrier article according tothe present disclosure can have a wide variety of widths. In someembodiments, the width of the article is at least 1.9 centimeters or atleast 2.5 centimeters. In some embodiments, the width of the article isat least 5 centimeters. In some embodiments, the width of the article isat most 10 centimeters. In some embodiments, the width of the article isup to 45 centimeters or up to 75 centimeters.

Method of Making Some Embodiments of Air and Water Barrier Articles

In some embodiments, the presently disclosed air and water barrierarticles can be made as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,584 (Hansen etal.) using equipment as shown in FIG. 5. Elastomeric strands 410 from abeam 411 are unwound under tension controlled by driven press roll 412and through comb 414. A first porous layer 415, having a polymeric layerdisposed thereon along, with a second porous layer 417, from supplydrums 416 and 418, respectively, or directly from the forming machine,if desired, are brought into contact with the elastomeric strands andwith each other between rubber-covered squeeze roll 419 and knurledsteel squeeze roll 420, the latter dipping into a pan 421 containing afluid binder mixture 422 and depositing the binder mixture throughoutthe second porous layer 417. The composite web passes directly into adrying oven 424 and thence between pull drums 425 and 426. The web nextpasses around roll 427, between heating platens 428 and 429, aroundidler rolls 431 and surface winder roll 430, and is wound up to formstock roll 432.

Squeeze rolls 419 and 420 rotate at a considerably greater surface speedthan beam 411, and the elastomeric strands 410 are accordingly stretcheda corresponding amount. This stretch is maintained by operating pulldrums 425 and 426 and turn-around drum 427 at approximately the samespeed compared with rollers 419 and 420. Surface winder roll 430 andwind-up drum 432, however, are again operated at a slower speed topermit shrinkage of the web as it passes between the heater platens 428and 429. The composite web 434, which is smooth as it reaches the roll427, becomes increasingly puckered, crimped or shirred as it passesthrough the heating zone, the result being further indicated in FIG. 6.

The heat supplied by the platens 428 and 429 is sufficient to causeconsiderable fuming of the sheet material and to relax the structuresufficiently to permit the elastomeric strands to retract and producethe desired degree of puckering, crimping or shining as controlled bythe speed of the surface winder roll. The temperature may be regulatedby adjusting both the energy input to the platens and the distancebetween the platens and the web. The duration of the heat treatment maybe regulated, for a given length of platen, by adjusting the speed oftravel of the web, sufficient time being provided to permit retractionof the web to the desired degree. The platens are maintained at atemperature sufficient to keep the web taut during the shrinkingoperation between rolls 427 and 430 at the speed indicated but not sohigh as to cause deterioration of the web as evidenced by excessivefuming and discoloration thereof. The shined or crimped product isdimensionally stable, the heat treatment serving to provide an effectivedegree of heat-setting or stabilizing, and neither shrinks nor expandswhen allowed to stand at normal temperatures and under no externalstress; and it returns to such dimensions when first stretched and thenpermitted to retract.

In some embodiments concentrated natural rubber latex or syntheticrubber latex can be used as the fluid binder mixture. Other elastomersor blends of elastomers having similar properties may be used.

In some embodiments, instead of using a fluid binder mixture, a hot meltadhesive can be otherwise disposed between the elastomeric strands andthe second porous layer and between the elastomeric strands and thefirst porous layer.

Following are embodiments and combinations of embodiments according tothe present disclosure:

Embodiment 1

An article comprising:

a polymeric layer disposed on and covering a first major surface of anelastic porous layer, wherein the polymeric layer and the elastic porouslayer together form an air and water barrier that is water vaporpermeable;

an adhesive layer disposed on a second major surface of the elasticporous layer opposite the polymeric layer; and

a liner disposed on a major surface of the polymeric layer opposite thefirst major surface of the elastic porous layer, wherein the liner iswater vapor impermeable.

Embodiment 2

The article of embodiment 1, further comprising a coating compositiondisposed between at least a portion of the polymeric layer and theliner, wherein the coating composition has a first peel adhesion to theliner that is lower than a second peel adhesion between the polymericlayer and the liner.

Embodiment 3

The article of embodiment 2, wherein the second peel adhesion is atleast 15 N/dm.

Embodiment 4

The article of embodiment 2 or 3, wherein the liner is cut at a locationcorresponding to an edge of the coating composition.

Embodiment 5

The article of embodiment 2 or 3, wherein the liner does not cover thecoating composition.

Embodiment 6

An article comprising:

a polymeric layer disposed on and covering a first major surface of anelastic porous layer, wherein the polymeric layer and the elastic porouslayer together form an air and water barrier that is water vaporpermeable;

an adhesive layer disposed on a second major surface of the elasticporous layer opposite the polymeric layer; and

a liner disposed on a major surface of the polymeric layer opposite thefirst major surface of the elastic porous layer, wherein the liner iswater vapor impermeable and covers only a portion of the major surfaceof the polymeric layer.

Embodiment 7

The article of any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the article passesat least one of Modified Test 1 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13, Modified Test2 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13, or Modified Test 3 of ASTMD-1970/D-1970M-13.

Embodiment 8

The article of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein a portionof the air and water barrier not covered by the liner has a vaportransmission rate of greater than or equal to 1 perms.

Embodiment 9

The article of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the elasticporous layer comprises at least one of a plurality of elastomericstrands, elastic net, elastic nonwoven material, elastic woven fabric,elastic knitted fabric, elastic foam, elastic microperforated film, andcombinations thereof.

Embodiment 10

The article of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the articlehas an elongation of at least 90% in at least one direction.

Embodiment 11

The article of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein thepolymeric layer comprises a polyoxyalkylene polymer having at least oneend group derived from an alkoxy silane.

Embodiment 12

The article of embodiment 11, wherein all of the end groups of thepolyoxyalkylene polymer are silyl terminated.

Embodiment 13

The article of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the elasticporous layer comprises at least one of polyester, polylactic acid,polyolefin, polyamide, polyurethane, or rayon.

Embodiment 14

The article of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the elasticporous layer is a nonwoven comprising at least one of polyester,polylactic acid, polyolefin, polyamide, polyurethane, or rayon.

Embodiment 15

The article of any of embodiments 1 to 14 wherein the elastic porouslayer is a selected from an extruded netting, a scrim, and combinationsthereof.

Embodiment 16

The article of any of embodiments 1 to 15 wherein the elastic porouslayer comprises a woven material.

Embodiment 17

The article of any of embodiments 1 to 16 wherein the elastic porouslayer comprises blown microfibers.

Embodiment 18

The article of any of embodiments 1 to 17 wherein the elastic porouslayer has a water strike through time of less than 400 seconds.

Embodiment 19

The article of any of the preceding embodiments wherein the article hasan elongation of at least 105% in air least one direction.

Embodiment 20

The article of embodiment 11 or 12 wherein the polyoxyalkylene polymerfurther comprises at least one silyl modified branched group.

Embodiment 21

A method of applying an air and water barrier article, the methodcomprising:

adhering at least a portion of the adhesive layer on a roll of thearticle of any one of embodiments 1 to 20 to a surface of a buildingcomponent, so that the article is affixed to the surface of the buildingcomponent;

unwinding at least a portion of the roll, wherein during the unwinding,the liner remains disposed on the major surface of the polymeric layeropposite the first major surface of the elastic porous layer; and,

peeling at least a portion of the liner away from a portion of thearticle.

Embodiment 22

The method of embodiment 21, further comprising leaving a portion of theliner disposed on the major surface of the polymer layer.

Embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above and arefurther illustrated below by way of the following Examples, which arenot to be construed in any way as imposing limitations upon the scope ofthe present disclosure. On the contrary, it is to be clearly understoodthat resort may be had to various other embodiments, modifications, andequivalents thereof which, after reading the description herein, maysuggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit of the present disclosure and/or the scope of the appendedclaims.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are intended to illustrate exemplary embodimentswithin the scope of this disclosure. Notwithstanding that the numericalranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the disclosureare approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specificexamples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value,however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting fromthe standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of thedoctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numericalparameter should at least be construed in light of the number ofreported significant digits and by applying ordinary roundingtechniques.

Materials

KANEKA MS POLYMER S203H A liquid, silyl-terminated polyether derivedfrom a polyether polymer backbone and having methyldimethoxysilanefunctional groups and a viscosity of 6000 to 10,000 centiPoise,available under the trade designation KANEKA MS POLYMER S203H fromKaneka North America, LLC, Pasadena, TX. AEROSIL R202 A hydrophobicfumed silica after treated with a polydimethylsiloxane, available underthe trade designation AEROSIL R202 from Evonik Corporation, Parsippany,NJ. OMYACARB 5-FL A beneficiated calcium carbonate having a meanparticle size of 6.3 micrometers and a calcium carbonate content of 98%,available under the trade designation OMYACARB 5-FL from OmyaIncorporated, Cincinnati, OH. TIONA 696 A non-chalking, chlorie-processrutile titanium dioxide pigment having a titanium dioxide content of92%, and a surface treatment of alumina, silica, organic, availableunder the trade designation TIONA 696 from Cristal, Hunt Valley, MD.DYNASYLAN DAMO-T A liquid, bifunctional organosilane having two reactiveamino groups and hydrolyzable inorganic methoxysilyl groups, availableunder the trade designation DYNASYLAN DAMO- T from Evonik Corporation,Parsippany, NJ. DYNASYLAN VTMO A liquid, bifunctional organosilanehaving a reactive vinyl group and a hydrolyzable inorganictrimethoxysilyl group, available under the trade designation DYNASYLANVTMO from Evonik Corporation, Parsippany, NJ. NEOSTAN U-220H A liquidcatalyst based on dibutyl tin bis(acetylacetoacetonate) having a tincontent of 27.5%, available under the trade designation NEOSTAN U-220Hfrom Nitto Kasei Company, Ltd., Osaka, Japan. IOA isooctyl acrylate AAacrylic acid IRGACURE 651 2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone, aphotoinitiator available under the trade designation IRGACURE 651 fromavailable from BASF Corporation, Florham Park, NJ. FORAL 85LB A glycerolester of highly hydrogenated wood rosin, available under the tradedesignation FORAL 85LB from Pinova Incorporated, Brunswick GA. Triazine2,6-bis-trichoromethyl-6-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-s-triazine CLOPAY BR-134UA white, microporous, breathable film having an embossed patternthereon, an areal weight of 19 grams/square meter, and a moisture vaportransmission rate of (7500 grams H2O/ day), believed to be mixture of agreater amount of linear low density polyethylene and a lesser amount oflow density polyethylene, the mixture being modified with calciumcarbonate and a styrene triblock polymer, available under the tradedesignation CLOPAY BR-134U White Breathable Film from Clopay PlasticProducts Company, Mason, OH. LINER 1 A 51 micrometer (0.002 inch) thick,polyester film having a silicone treatment on both sides, available as2.0 CL PET U4162/U4162 from Loparex, Hammond, WI. UCON 50-HB-400 Amonobutyl ether of a linear polymer of ethylene oxide:propylene oxide(1:1) polyglcyol, having a number average molecular weight (Mn) ofapproximately 1230 and a viscosity index (VI) of 220 (ASTM D2270, IP226), available under the trade designation UCON LUBRICANT 50-HB-400from Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI. 2CEA 2-Carboxyethyl acrylate(beta-carboxyethyl acrylate), a slightly viscous liquid containing 30-35wt % of 2-carboxyethyl acrylate, 50-60 wt % of acrylic acid oligomers,and 10-20 wt % of acrylic acid, having an acid number of 6.4milliequivalents/gram, available from Bimax Incorporated, Glen Rock, PA.REEMAY 2024 A spunbond polyester fabric having an areal weight of 71.4grams/square meter, a thickness of 0.31 millimeters, and a TEXTEST AirPerm of (1626 liters/second)/square meter (320 cubic feet/minute)/squarefoot), available under the trade designation REEMAY 2024 from FiberwebFiltration Business, Old Hickory, TN. MPG S000695142 An elastic materialcontaining 91% Polyester and 9% SPANDEX woven fabric, having an arealweight of 116 grams/square meter, available as MPG S000695142 fromMilliken & Company, Spartanburg, SC. FOAM 1 A foam sample was obtainedby cutting a foam piece from a 90612 3M TEGADERM Foam Adhesive Dressing(3M Company, St. Paul, Minn.) such that the foam piece freely separatedfrom all other parts of the dressing. FOAM 2 A foam having a densitybetween 0.028 and 0.034 grams/ cubic centimeter (1.75 and 2.10pounds/cubic foot), a minimum elongation of 90%, and a minimum tensilestrength of 110 KiloPascals (16.0 pounds/square inch), available as #6in Foam Kit from Rogers Foam Corporation, Somerville, MA. FOAM 3 A foamhaving a density between 0.027 and 0.034 grams/ cubic centimeter (1.7and 2.1 pounds/cubic foot), a minimum elongation of 240%, and a minimumtensile strength of 207 KiloPascals (30 pounds/square inch), availableas #26B in Foam Kit from Rogers Foam Corporation, Somerville, MA. FINONC3019NW A white, pattern spunbonded, nonwoven fiber of 100% polyestercontaining no chemical binder and having an areal weight of 18.6grams/square meter (0.55 ounces/square yard), a product of KolonIndustries, Incorporated, Korea and available under the tradedesignation FINON C3019NW from Midwest Filtration LLC, Cincinnati, OH.SONTARA 8005 A white, spunlace polyester nonwoven having an areal weightof 67.8 grams/square meter and a thickness of 0.51 millimeters (0.020inches), available under the trade designation SONTARA Style 8005 fromSontara America, Incorporated, Candler, NC. Spray Adhesive A syntheticelastomer-based, high strength, fast contact-type spray adhesive,available as Hi-Strength 90 Spray Adhesive from 3M Company, St. Paul,MN. Elastomeric Strands Chlorine resistant elastic fibers having anelongation at break of greater than 550% and a denier of 210, availableunder the trade designation RADICISPANDEX TYPE S17-B from RadiciSpandexCorporation, Gastonia, NC. LINER 2 A 51 micrometer (0.002 inch) thickuntreated polyester film. LINER 3 A 77 micrometers (0.003 inches) thick,polyolefin-coated polyester core with silicone treatment on one side,available under the trade designation 48# CL PET H/H UE1095/000 fromLoparex, Hammond, WI. LINER 4 An 89 micrometers (0.0035 inches) thick,cast polypropylene film having one glossy side and one matte side. LINER5 A polyester film having a thickness of 36 micrometers (0.0014 inches)and having a polyolefin primer on one side and silicone treatment on theopposite side, available under the trade designation 2PAKN fromMitsubishi Polyester Film, Incorporated, Greer, SC. LINER 6 LINER 3 wascoated on the non-siliconized side according to Synthesis Example 1 ofUS 2013/0004749 A1, except that a gravure coater was used in place of aMeyer bar. Ink 1 A liquid, white ink, available under the tradedesignation DT OPAQUE WHITE from Sun Chemical Corporation, Carlstadt,NJ. GENIOSIL XL 65 A liquid, alkoxysilane having an O-methyl carbamateorganofunctional group, N-Dimethoxy(methyl)silylmethyl-O-methyl-carbamate, having utility as a water scavenging compound,available under the trade designation GENIOSIL XL 65 from Wacker ChemieAG, Munchen, Germany.Test MethodsNail Sealability

Nail sealability of air and water barrier articles was evaluatedgenerally as described in ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13: “StandardSpecification for Self-Adhering Polymer Modified Bituminous SheetMaterials Used as Steep Roofing Underlayment for Ice Dam Protection”,Paragraph 7.9: “Self Sealability. Head of Water Test” with somemodifications. All materials were conditioned at (23° C. (73° F.)) forat least 24 hours prior to use. Three different modified tests wereemployed. Samples were considered to have passed the test if a rating of“A” or “B” was achieved.

Modified Test 1 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13

A plywood substrate having a thickness of 1.25 cm (0.5 inches) wasemployed; four nails were driven through the air and water barrierarticle into the plywood substrate until 6.35 millimeters (0.25 inches)remained above the exposed surface of the air and water barrier article;and a red dye was added to the water. After exposure the surface ofplywood substrate in contact with the air and water barrier article(referred to herein as the “topside”), and the surface of the plywoodsubstrate opposite the topside (referred to herein as the “bottomside”)were inspected visually by unaided eye for signs of water leakage asdetermined by the presence of red-stained areas around each of the fournails. Such stained areas would be indicative of failure of the air andwater barrier article to form a seal around the nails. Samples wererated “A” if 3 or 4 of the nail areas on the plywood substrate were freeof dye staining; “B” if 2 of the nail areas on the plywood substratewere free of dye staining; and “C” if 1 or 0 of the nail areas on theplywood substrate were free of dye staining.

Modified Test 2 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13

Modified Test 2 was conducted in the same manner as Modified Test 1 withthe following change. The four nails were driven through the air barrierarticle into the plywood substrate until the nail head contacted the topsurface of the air and water barrier article, then the nail was backedout until 6.35 millimeters (0.25 inches) remained above the exposedsurface of the air and water barrier article.

Modified Test 3 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13

Modified Test 3 was conducted in the same manner as Modified Test 2 withthe following modification. The nails were not backed out.

Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate

The moisture vapor transmission rates of air and water barrier articleswere evaluated generally as described in ASTM E96/E96M-13: “StandardTest Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials” using Paragraph11: Dessicant Method at (23° C. (73° F.)) and 50% relative humidity,with the following modifications. Six data points were obtained and usedto calculate a permeance value. The six individual values were used todetermine an average permeance value which was reported in units ofPerms.

180° Angle Peel Adhesion Test 1 (Easy Side Release=Adhesive Strength)

The 180 degree angle peel adhesion strength between the liner andpattern coated pressure sensitive adhesive, also referred to herein asthe “easy side release”, was measured on a laminate of liner/patterncoated pressure sensitive adhesive/porous layer. Adhesive strength wasmeasured after aging for seven days at 23° C. and 50% relative humidity.A 2.54 centimeter wide by approximately 20 centimeter (1 inch by 8 inch)long sample of the laminate was cut using a specimen razor cutter. Theexposed liner surface was attached lengthwise to the previously cleanedaluminum platen surface of a peel adhesion tester (Model SP3M90, IMASSIncorporated, Accord, Mass.). The laminate was then rolled down one timein one direction with a 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) rubber roller at a rateof 230 centimeters/minute (90 inches/minute). The pressure sensitiveadhesive/porous layer was carefully lifted away from the liner adheredto the platen surface, doubled-back at an angle of 180 degrees, andsecured to the clamp of the peel adhesion tester. The 180 degree anglepeel adhesion strength was then measured as the pressure sensitiveadhesive/porous layer was peeled from the liner at a rate of 230centimeters/minute (90 inches/minute). A minimum of two test specimenswere evaluated with results obtained in ounces/inch which were used tocalculate the average release strength. Release testing was conductedunder Condition A described in 180° Angle Peel Adhesion Test 2 (TightSide Release=Liner Release) below.

180° Angle Peel Adhesion Test 2 (Tight Side Release=Liner Release)

The 180 degree angle peel adhesion strength between the liner andpolymeric material, also referred to herein as the “tight side release”,was measured on a laminate of liner/polymeric material/porous layer. Thesame procedure as described for “180° Angle Peel Adhesion Test 1 (EasySide Release=Adhesive Strength)” was used with the followingmodification. The polymeric material/porous layer was carefully liftedaway from the liner adhered to the platen surface, doubled-back at anangle of 180 degrees, and secured to the clamp of the peel adhesiontester. The 180 degree peel adhesion strength between the liner andpolymeric material was measured after all aging conditions (A, B, and C)given below.

A) After 7 days at 23° C. (73° F.) and 50% relative humidity (RH);

B) After 7 days at 70° C. (158° F.) followed by equilibration for 4hours at 23° C./50% RH;

C) After 7 days at 32° C. (90° F.) followed by equilibration for 4 hoursat 23° C./50% RH.

In some instances the adhesion between the liner and the polymericmaterial and/or the adhesion between the polymeric material and theporous layer was greater than the internal (cohesive) strength of thepolymeric material. This resulted in splitting of the polymericmaterial, and was reported as “Cohesive Failure”.Elongation

Tensile properties of coated air barrier articles were evaluatedgenerally as described in ASTM D882-12: “Standard Test Method forTensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting” with the followingmodifications. Three straight section specimens measuring 12.5 mm (0.5inches) wide, 152 millimeters (6 inches) long, and having a thicknessgenerally between approximately 0.15 and 0.76 millimeters (0.006 to0.030 inches) were cut from film samples in the downweb (DW; alsoreferred to as the machine direction (MD)) and crossweb (CW) directionsand conditioned for a minimum of 24 hours at 23+/−2° C. and 50% relativehumitdity+/−5% prior to testing. The separation distance betweenparallel grips was 100 mm (4 inches), the crosshead speed was 51millimeters/minute (2 inches/minute). The separation rate, forcemeasurements, and data calculations were carried out by the systemcontroller. The average of two test samples was reported.

Stress Relaxation

Stress Relaxation properties of coated air barrier articles wereevaluated as follows. Samples were conditioned for a minimum of 24 hoursat 23+/−2° C. and 50% relative humidity+/−5% prior to testing. Astraight section specimen measuring 25.4 millimeters (1 inch) wide, by152 millimeters (6 inches) long was cut in the machine direction (MD).The sample was inserted with no slack or stretch into the grips of atensile machine (Model Sintech 500/s, MTS Systems Corporation, EdenPrairie, Minn.) with an initial separation distance between parallelgrips of 100 millimeters (4 inches). The sample was elongated at acrosshead speed of 1520 millimeters/minute (60 inches/min) until itreached 50% elongation. This position was held for 5 minutes. Thecrosshead then returned to 0% elongation, completing the cycle. Theseparation rate, force measurements, and data calculations were carriedout by the system controller. The initial load at 50% elongation and theload after 5 minutes at 50% elongation were recorded. The stressrelaxation was calculated as (1−(load after 5 minutes/initial load))*100and reported in %. The load values were reported in pounds force (lbf)and Newtons (N).

Water Strike Through

The moisture dissipation capability of the polymeric coated porous layerwas characterized according to WSP 70.3 (08)—“Standard Test Method forNonwoven Coverstock Liquid Strike-Through Time Using Simulated Urine”with the following modifications. No absorbent pad was put under thetest specimen. The samples were all tested on the porous layer oppositethe polymeric coating. Instead of using 5 mL of simulated urine, 3milliliters of distilled water was used. A plate measuring 101.6millimeters (4 inches)×101.6 millimeters (4 inches)×25.4 millimeters (1inch) thick was placed on top of the specimen. The water was placed intoa cylinder cut through the plate with a diameter of 25.4 millimeter (1inch). A stopwatch was used instead of an electronic timer. Thestopwatch was started as soon as the water contacted the porous layer,and was stopped once the water had completely penetrated into the porouslayer. The time for the 3 milliliters of water to completely penetrateinto the porous layer was recorded in seconds and reported as the StrikeThrough Time of the polymeric coated porous layer.

Water Absorption Capacity

The absorption capacity of the polymeric coated porous layer wasdetermined as follows. A 107.95 millimeters (4.25 inches)×107.95millimeters (4.25 inches) sample was weighed and then placed in to abath of water for 5 minutes. The material was then taken out of the bathand hung by a clip for 1 minute. The material was then reweighed todetermine the weight of the water absorbed in grams. The WaterAbsorbance Capacity was calculated by subtracting the initial weight ofthe material from the final weight after soaking. The absorption valueswere reported in grams

EXAMPLES Example 1

An air and water barrier article having an elastic porous layerpartially impregnated and covered on one side with a polymeric materialand having a pressure sensitive adhesive layer disposed on the side ofthe elastic porous layer opposite that coated with the polymericmaterial was prepared as follows. The polymeric material composition wasprovided by charging the following materials into a mixing vessel whichwas then placed in a dual asymmetric centrifuge mixer: 39.8 parts byweight (hereinafter abbreviated as “pbw”) of a silyl-terminatedpolyether, KANEKA MS POLYMER 5203H, 1.25 pbw of hydrophobic fumedsilica, AEROSIL R202, 26.7 pbw of calcium carbonate OMYACARB 5-FL, and4.4 pbw of titanium oxide, TIONA 696. After mixing at 2500 rpm for fourminutes 0.87 pbw of an aminosilane, DYNASYLAN DAMO-T, 0.87 pbw of avinyl trimethoxysilane, DYNASYLAN VTMO, and 0.19 pbw of a tin catalyst,NEOSTANN U-220H, were added and mixed at 2500 rpm for two minutes. Thisfinal mixture was used to coat LINER 1 using a notch bar coater having agap setting that was 0.30 millimeters (0.012 inches) greater than thethickness of the release film. The polymeric material-coated releasefilm was then laminated to an elastic porous layer, FOAM 1, at roomtemperature (23° C. (73° F.)) using a hand roller and light pressure.This laminate construction was cured at 93° C. (200° F.) for 8 hours.This gave a self-sealing air and water barrier article (continuous layerof polymeric material on one side of the elastic porous layer) having aliner on the side of the polymeric coating opposite that of the elasticporous layer.

A pressure sensitive adhesive precursor composition was prepared bymixing 99 parts pbw isooctyl acrylate (IOA), 1 pbw acrylic acid (AA) and0.04 pbw of a photoinitiator, IRGACURE 651. This mixture was partiallypolymerized under a nitrogen atmosphere by exposure to low intensityultraviolet radiation to provide a coatable syrup having a viscosity ofabout 4000 cps. An additional 0.26 pbw of IRGACURE 651, 0.13 pbw of aTriazine, and 6 pbw of a tackifier, FORAL 85LB, were added to the syrupand mixed until all of the components had completely dissolved to give apressure sensitive adhesive precursor composition.

The adhesive precursor composition was then coated onto a siliconizedpolyethylene coated Kraft paper liner using a notch bar with a 0.076 mm(0.003 inches) gap setting greater than the thickness of the liner. Theadhesive precursor was then exposed to an ultraviolet radiation sourcehaving a spectral output from 300-400 nanometers with a maximum at 351nanometers in a nitrogen-rich environment. An irradiance of about 9.0milliWatts/square centimeter was used during the exposure time,resulting in a total energy of 1800 milliJoules/square centimeter. Theresult was a pressure sensitive adhesive coated liner.

For nail sealability evaluation the pressure sensitive adhesive wastransfer laminated from the paper liner to a 12.7 millimeter (0.5 inch)thick piece of plywood substrate using hand pressure. Next, theself-sealing air and water barrier article was laminated by hand to theplywood substrate such that the exposed surface of the elastic porouslayer covered the pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The liner attachedto the polymeric coating was then removed. The plywood substrate havingan adhesive coated, self-sealing air and water barrier article thereonwas then evaluated for nail sealability using test method 1.

Measurement of moisture vapor transmission rates and tensile andelongation properties were conducted on the elastic self-sealing air andwater barrier article (continuous layer of polymeric material on oneside of the elastic porous layer) that resulted from removal of theliner from the polymeric coating prior to testing unless otherwise notedbelow.

“Tight Side Release” was measured on the construction of the elasticself-sealing air and water barrier article (continuous layer ofpolymeric material on one side of the elastic porous layer) having aliner on the side of the polymeric coating opposite that of the elasticporous layer.

Example 2

Example 1 was repeated with the following modifications. The elasticporous layer used was FOAM 2.

Example 3

Example 1 was repeated with the following modifications. The elasticporous layer used was FOAM 3.

Example 4

Example 1 was repeated with the following modifications. The elasticporous layer used was MPG S000695142. This construction was also testedfor Stress Relaxation, Water Strike Through, and Water AbsorptionCapacity after LINER 1 was removed.

Comparative Example 1

Example 1 was repeated with the following modifications. A porous layer(REEMAY 2024) was used in place of the elastic porous layer, FOAM 1.This material was also tested for Water Strike Through.

Illustrative Example 5

A pressure sensitive adhesive precursor composition on a siliconizedpolyethylene coated Kraft paper liner was prepared as described inExample 1. REEMAY 2024 was then laminated using hand pressure to theexposed pressure sensitive adhesive. Next, the siliconized polyethylenecoated Kraft paper liner was removed and replace with LINER 1. Thisconstruction was then tested for “Easy Side Release”.

Example 6

Elastomeric Strands were cut to 29.5 centimeters (11.6 inches) inlength. Three Elastomeric Strands were held together and the ends tiedto two screws spaced 118 centimeters (46.5 inches) apart in a plywoodboard. This was repeated for 27 more sets of three Elastomeric Strands,with a spacing of 0.64 centimeters (0.25 inches) between the sets.

A porous layer, FINON C3019NW, having LINER 1 on one side was treatedwith Spray Adhesive on the side opposite that in contact with theLINER 1. The resulting adhesive treated porous layer with liner was thenslid under the sets of Elastomeric Strands mounted on the plywood board.Next, the upper, exposed surface of the Elastomeric Strands was treatedwith Spray Adhesive.

A self-sealing air and water barrier article (continuous layer ofpolymeric material on one side of the elastic porous layer) was preparedas described in Example 1 and its LINER removed, with the followingmodification. A porous layer, FINON C3019NW, was used in place of theelastic porous layer FOAM 1. This self-sealing air and water barrierarticle was the laminated using hand pressure on top of the exposed,adhesive treated Elastomeric Strands. The multilayered construction wasallowed to dry at room temperature for about 24 hours.

The ends of the Elastomeric Strands were then cut from the plywoodboard, the LINER 1 was removed, and the resulting construction treatedwith a heat gun on high setting for a total of about five minutes togive an elastic self-sealing air and water barrier article.

For nail sealability evaluation a paper liner containing pressuresensitive adhesive prepared as described in Example 1 was transferlaminated using hand pressure to a 12.7 millimeter (0.5 inch) thickpiece of plywood substrate. Next, the elastic self-sealing air and waterbarrier article was stretched until it was flat then laminated by handto the plywood substrate such that the exposed surface of the porouslayer covered the pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The plywoodsubstrate having an adhesive coated, elastic self-sealing air and waterbarrier article thereon was then evaluated for nail sealability usingtest method 1.

Measurement of moisture vapor transmission rates and tensile andelongation properties were conducted on the elastic self-sealing air andwater barrier article (continuous layer of polymeric material on oneside of the elastic porous layer) that resulted from removal of theliner from the polymeric coating prior to testing.

Example 7

Example 1 was repeated with the following modifications. The elasticporous layer used was SONTARA 8005.

Illustrative Example 8

Comparative Example 1 was repeated with the following modifications.LINER 2 was used in place of LINER 1 and the liner was provided with aflood coating of INK 1 on one side using a #0 Meyer bar followed bydrying at room temperature to provide 100% ink coverage of the liner.The polymeric material was then coated over the ink flood coat.

Example 9

Example 4 was repeated with the following modifications. LINER 2 wasused in place of LINER 1. Nail sealability was tested on the articlewith the liner. Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate was measured on LINER 2only and reported in Table 1, below. Combination with the elastic porouslayer and polymeric layer is expected to decrease the Moisture VaporTransmission Rate.

Illustrative Example 10

Comparative Example 1 was repeated with the following modifications.LINER 3 was used in place of LINER 1 and the liner was provided with aflood coating of INK 1 on one side using a #0 Meyer bar followed bydrying at room temperature to provide 100% ink coverage of the liner.The polymeric material was then coated over the ink flood coat.

Example 11

Example 4 was repeated with the following modifications. LINER 3 wasused in place of LINER 1. Nail sealability was tested on the articlewith the liner. Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate was measured on LINER 3only and reported in Table 1, below. Combination with the elastic porouslayer and polymeric layer is expected to decrease the Moisture VaporTransmission Rate.

Example 12

Example 4 was repeated with the following modifications. LINER 4 wasused in place of LINER 1 and the liner was provided with a flood coatingof INK 1 on one side using a #0 Meyer bar followed by drying at roomtemperature to provide 100% ink coverage of the liner. The polymericmaterial was then coated over the ink flood coat.

Example 13

Example 4 was repeated with the following modifications. LINER 4 wasused in place of LINER 1. Nail sealability was tested on the articlewith the liner. Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate was measured on LINER 4only and reported in Table 1, below. Combination with the elastic porouslayer and polymeric layer is expected to decrease the Moisture VaporTransmission Rate.

Illustrative Example 14

Comparative Example 1 was repeated with the following modifications.LINER 5 was used in place of LINER 1 and the liner was provided with aflood coating of INK 1 on one side using a #0 Meyer bar followed bydrying at room temperature to provide 100% ink coverage of the liner.The polymeric material was then coated over the ink flood coat.

Example 15

Example 4 was repeated with the following modifications. LINER 5 wasused in place of LINER 1. Nail sealability was tested on the articlewith the liner. Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate was measured on LINER 5only and reported in Table 1, below. Combination with the elastic porouslayer and polymeric layer is expected to decrease the Moisture VaporTransmission Rate.

Example 16

Example 4 was repeated with the following modifications. LINER 6 wasused in place of LINER 1 and the liner was provided with a flood coatingof INK 1 on one side using a #0 Meyer bar followed by drying at roomtemperature to provide 100% ink coverage of the liner. The polymericmaterial was then coated over the ink flood coat.

Example 17

Example 4 was repeated with the following modifications. LINER 6 wasused in place of LINER 1. Nail sealability was tested on the articlewith the liner. Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate was measured on LINER 6only and reported in Table 1, below. Combination with the elastic porouslayer and polymeric layer is expected to decrease the Moisture VaporTransmission Rate.

Example 18

Example 4 was repeated with the following modifications. 2.5 pbw ofhydrophobic fumed silica, AEROSIL R202 were used instead of 1.25 pbw inthe polymeric formulation, and LINER 3 was used in place of LINER 1.This sample was tested only for Stress Relaxation after LINER 3 wasremoved.

Example 19

Example 18 was repeated with the following modifications. 0.87 pbw ofGENIOSIL XL 65 was used in place of DYNASYLAN VTMO. This constructionwas tested only for Stress Relaxation, Water Strike Through, and WaterAbsorption Capacity after LINER 3 was removed.

Comparative Example 2

Example 18 was repeated with the following modifications. REEMAY 2024was used as the porous layer. This sample was tested for Water StrikeThrough and Water Absorption Capacity.

Results

TABLE 1 Nail Sealability (Test 1) and Moisture Vapor Transmission RateNail Sealability Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate Ex. Top Side BottomSide Permeance No. Test 1 Test 1 (Perms) 1 A A 17.5 2 A A ND 3 A A ND 4A A 31.9 CE 1 A A 22.7 6 A A 23.8 7 A A 23.1 9 A A Less than 0.85 11 A ALess than 0.91 12 A A 19.8 13 B A Less than 0.72 15 A A Less than 0.6 16A A 21.3 17 A A Less than 0.4 Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate CE:Comparative Example ND: Not Determined

TABLE 2 180° Angle Peel Adhesion After 7 Days at 23° C./50% RH Ex. TightSide Release Easy Side Release No. (oz/in, N/dm) (oz/in, N/dm) 1 11.6(12.7) NA CE 1 13.95 (15.3)  NA 5 NA 0.9 (1.0) 7  9.2 (10.1) NA 8 11.9(13.0) NA 9 Cohesive Failure NA 10 15.3 (16.7) NA 11 Cohesive Failure NA12 3.7 (4.1) NA 13 Cohesive Failure NA 14  9.7 (10.6) NA 15 CohesiveFailure NA 16 3.4 (3.8) NA 17 38.9 (42.6) NA CE: Comparative Example NA:not applicable

The results for Illustrative Example 5 in Table 2 are typical of theEasy Side Release values for all the examples where the same adhesiveand liner are employed.

TABLE 3 180° Angle Peel Adhesion After 7 Days at 70° C. Ex. No. TightSide Release (oz/in, N/dm)  1 17.2 (18.8) CE 1 Cohesive Failure  7 16.1(17.6) 12 5.9 (6.6) 16 3.3 (3.7) CE: Comparative Example

TABLE 4 180° Angle Peel Adhesion After 7 Days at 32° C./90% RH Ex. No.Tight Side Release (oz/in, N/dm) 1 15.0 (16.4) CE 1 26.4 (28.9) 7 8.1(8.9) CE: Comparative Example

TABLE 5 Elongation Ex. No. Web Direction (CD or MD) Elongation (%) 1 MD111.4 4 CD 210.1 CE 1 MD 39.7 CE 1 CD 47.2 6 MD 109.9 7 CD 92.4 CE:Comparative Example

TABLE 6 Stress Relaxation Load after Web Direction Initial Load lbf 5minutes Stress Relaxation Ex. No. (CD or MD) (N) lbf (N) (%) 4 MD 6.0(26.5) 3.0 (13.1) 50% 18 MD 3.9 (17.4) 2.3 (10.3) 41% 19 MD 1.7 (7.7) 1.0 (4.5)  41%

TABLE 7 Water Strike Through Absorbance Ex. Strike Through InitialWeight Final Weight Capacity No. Time (seconds) (grams) (grams) (grams)CE1 1620 ND ND ND  4 296 5.13 6.4176 1.29 19 47.6 6.3384* 8.421* 2.08 CE2 3300 3.9083 4.1999 0.2916 *Liner was not removed prior to testing.

While the specification has described in detail certain embodiments, itwill be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining anunderstanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to,variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. Accordingly, itshould be understood that this disclosure is not to be unduly limited tothe illustrative embodiments set forth hereinabove. Furthermore, allpublished patent applications and issued patents referenced herein areincorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as ifeach individual publication or patent was specifically and individuallyindicated to be incorporated by reference. Various exemplary embodimentshave been described. These and other embodiments are within the scope ofthe following listing of disclosed embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. An article comprising: a polymeric layer disposedon and covering a first major surface of an elastic porous layer,wherein the polymeric layer and the elastic porous layer together forman air and water barrier that is water vapor permeable and has a watervapor transmission rate of greater than or equal to one perm; anadhesive layer disposed on a second major surface of the elastic porouslayer opposite the polymeric layer; and a liner disposed on a majorsurface of the polymeric layer opposite the first major surface of theelastic porous layer, wherein the liner is water vapor impermeable. 2.The article of claim 1, further comprising a coating compositiondisposed between at least a portion of the polymeric layer and theliner, wherein the coating composition has a first peel adhesion to theliner that is lower than a second peel adhesion between the polymericlayer and the liner.
 3. The article of claim 2, wherein the second peeladhesion is at least 15 N/dm.
 4. The article of claim 2, wherein thecoating composition is disposed between a portion of the polymeric layerand the liner, wherein the coating composition has an edge where itstops and does not extend an entire width of the article, wherein theliner has a cut at a location corresponding to the edge of the coatingcomposition, and wherein the polymeric layer, the elastic porous layer,and the adhesive layer do not have a cut at the location correspondingto the edge of the coating composition.
 5. An article comprising: apolymeric layer disposed on and covering a first major surface of anelastic porous layer, wherein the polymeric layer and the elastic porouslayer together form an air and water barrier that is water vaporpermeable; an adhesive layer disposed on a second major surface of theelastic porous layer opposite the polymeric layer; and a liner disposedon a major surface of the polymeric layer opposite the first majorsurface of the elastic porous layer, wherein the liner is a water vaporimpermeable film or paper and covers only a portion of the major surfaceof the polymeric layer, and wherein a portion of the air and waterbarrier not covered by the liner has a water vapor transmission rate ofgreater than or equal to one perm.
 6. The article of claim 5, whereinthe article passes at least one of Modified Test 1 of ASTMD-1970/D-1970M-13, Modified Test 2 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13, orModified Test 3 of ASTM D-1970/D-1970M-13.
 7. The article of claim 5,wherein the elastic porous layer comprises at least one of a pluralityof elastomeric strands, elastic net, elastic nonwoven material, elasticwoven fabric, elastic knitted fabric, elastic foam, or elasticmicroperforated film.
 8. The article of claim 5, wherein the air andwater barrier has an elongation of at least 90% in at least onedirection.
 9. The article of claim 5, wherein the polymeric layercomprises a polyoxyalkylene polymer having at least one end groupderived from an alkoxy silane.
 10. The article of claim 9, wherein allof the end groups of the polyoxyalkylene polymer are silyl terminated.11. The article of claim 5, wherein the elastic porous layer comprisesat least one of polyester, polylactic acid, polyolefin, polyamide,polyurethane, or rayon.
 12. A method of applying an air and waterbarrier article, the method comprising: adhering at least a portion ofthe adhesive layer on a roll of the article of claim 1 to a surface of abuilding component, so that the article is affixed to the surface of thebuilding component; unwinding at least a portion of the roll, whereinduring the unwinding, the liner remains disposed on the major surface ofthe polymeric layer opposite the first major surface of the elasticporous layer; and, peeling at least a portion of the liner away from aportion of the article.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprisingleaving a portion of the liner disposed on the major surface of thepolymer layer.
 14. The article of claim 4, wherein the elastic porouslayer comprises at least one of a plurality of elastomeric strands,elastic net, elastic nonwoven material, elastic woven fabric, elasticknitted fabric, elastic foam, or elastic microperforated film.
 15. Thearticle of claim 4, wherein the air and water barrier has an elongationof at least 90% in at least one direction.
 16. The article of claim 4,wherein the polymeric layer comprises a polyoxyalkylene polymer havingat least one end group derived from an alkoxy silane.
 17. The article ofclaim 16, wherein all of the end groups of the polyoxyalkylene polymerare silyl terminated.
 18. The article of claim 4, wherein the elasticporous layer comprises at least one of polyester, polylactic acid,polyolefin, polyamide, polyurethane, or rayon.
 19. The article of claim4, wherein the elastic porous layer comprises at least one of aplurality of elastomeric strands, elastic net, elastic nonwovenmaterial, elastic woven fabric, elastic knitted fabric, or elasticmicroperforated film.
 20. The article of claim 5, wherein the elasticporous layer comprises at least one of a plurality of elastomericstrands, elastic net, elastic nonwoven material, elastic woven fabric,elastic knitted fabric, or elastic microperforated film.